By John Nugent
The Village of Roslyn Estates Board of Trustees adopted a $1.8 million 2019-20 budget on Monday. New budget appropriations are 13.6 percent over the prior fiscal year, which will necessitate a tax rate increase of 2.94 percent, according to figures released by the village.
Although the final budget exceeds the state tax cap of 2 percent, the board was authorized to approve it in the absence of any objections from residents at recent public hearings on the matter, said village Clerk-Treasurer Michael Tomicich.
The new property tax rate will be $106.35 per $100 of assessed valuation. Additional total taxes of $42,000 represent an increase of 3.62 percent above the 2018-19 budget.
Expenditures for fire service, road repair, refuse collection and debt service make up approximately 41% of the budget.
At the opening of the board meeting, Mayor Paul Leone Peters and Trustees Brett Auerbach and Georgeann Polatov took the oath of office to begin their new two-year terms.
In an interview afterward, the mayor said that he would continue to focus on “keeping the village beautiful.”
“I want it always to be a very desirable place to live,” he said.
The board discussed the idea of offering a welcome packet to new homeowners in the village. Auerbach suggested presenting a small tote bag containing a few gift items to new residents as a way of showing the goodwill of the community.
A discussion about amending an easement for a new enlarged septic tank at the Colbeh Cottage restaurant was tabled pending further study of the plan.
Tomicich announced the receipt of a $10,000 fee for a subdivision of the property at 41 The Serpentine. New York state law requires that the funds, representing 1 percent of the value of the new lot, be deposited in a separate account for improving village parkland or buildings.
