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IMPORTANT 2011 TAX ROLL INFORMATION - Click below for the St. Lawrence County Real Property Office FINAL Tax Roll Document (a pdf document) Tentative Tax Roll Document (a pdf document) Town of Lisbon, |
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•This website was designed and implemented by Josh Earl and is maintained by Josephine Skiff Changes or additions should be directed to the Town Clerk. |
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Check out these other North Country sites! |
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TOWN OF LISBON TOWN BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 10, 2008 6:00 PM Present: Supervisor Don Strader, Councilman C. Joseph Collins, Town Clerk Donna McBath, Councilman Tom Schneller, Attorney Charles Nash, esq., Councilman C. Roger Shoen, Councilman Vincent Winters Absent: Highway Superintendent Timothy Dow Guest: Malhon T. Clements, Will Glass, Jim Armstrong, Ed Charlton, Ron Sanderson, Legislator David Forsythe, Scott LaBarge, Patrick Green, James Lawton - Ogdensburg Journal, Herb Goodison, Steven Jemison, Erin Woods -Lisbon Central Superintendent 1. Meeting Called to Order Supervisor Don Strader called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Pledge Allegiance 3. Minutes Approvals • November 12, 2008 Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Strader to approve the meeting minutes of November 12, 2008. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 4. Approval of Town Clerks Report Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Shoen to approve the Town Clerk's Report for the month of November 2008 Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 5. Approval of Town Justice Reports Councilman Collins made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to accept the Justice Reports for the month of November 2008. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 • Recognition of Guest Erin Woods - Lisbon Central School Superintendent - Began her presentation to the Lisbon Town Board by introducing herself. Her purpose was to inform the board that the contract is up this year for lawn maintenance, and thought the Lisbon Board would be interested in the contract. Mrs. Woods explained that she didn't need an answer at this time, but just wanted the board to think about it. Will Glass - stated that the board informed him that there was going to be a 1% tax increase. Then he read in the Ogdensburg Journal that there is going to be an18% raise. He asked if the board had done an amendment budget? Supervisor Strader stated they had not adopted an amendment budget yet. It was the board's fault that the fire department district had not been included with the first figure. The Real Property's office had caught it and has been corrected. Also one line for the Library was mistyped. It was typed as $1,000.00 and was supposed to be typed $11,000.00. The amendment will be done tonight at this meeting. Mr. Glass also asked if Supervisor Strader had Whalen, Davey and Looney Accounts look at the budget. In the past there had been a mistake in the budget, which wasn't caught until later in the year. Supervisor Strader stated that it had not been done. Mr. Glass stated that the cost to have it checked would be well worth it. Mr. Glass stated that the Lisbon Board is pointing the finger at the Lisbon Fire Department. He wanted to know how much was the 2008 budget of the Fire Department to 2009. Supervisor Strader stated he wasn't sure, but he thought it was approximately $5,000.00. He asked if anyone was in the audience that could answer that question. Scott LaBarge stated that last year's budget was $139,100.00. The increase of this year to $148,050.00, this was 6.43 % increase. That wouldn't push an 18% increase on the town's budget. Supervisor Strader stated that they didn't leave the Fire Department budget out on purpose. He is new to the board and could make mistakes. It was not done intentionally. Mr. Glass inquired if when a budget was amended, it could be lowered, but not raised, correct? Attorney Nash stated he wasn't sure if it could be done. Then Attorney Nash also stated that we always make amendments to the budget could be made throughout the year. Supervisor Strader stated that we could make the amendment. Mr. Glass's personal opinion was that the board should be making more than that amendment to the budget, as 18% is not reasonable. Since there is a reevaluation this February, and equalization rate is down 13%, he felt there should be more cut off the budget, including lower salaries. Ron Sanderson - Stated that he received a copy of the final budget, and then learned later that there was a mistake of $158,050.00 that wasn't added to the budget. He stated that in the Town Law the Fire District budget needed to be affixed to the tentative budget when turned into the Town Clerk. As he saw it, the fire district budget was missed on all three budgets. The figures that were given to the Ogdensburg Journal were not the same figures that were approved for the final budget on November 12, 2008. He stated that they were the wrong figures that were given to the people in the Town of Lisbon, as they were not the figures that were approved at the meeting. He also stated that when the Final Budget is approved and signed by the Town Clerk it can not be changed, nothing be added to or taken away. Mr. Sanderson stated that he had great concerns on the figures that the board came up with at the beach. In November 2007(which Supervisor Strader was not on the board at that time) when the budget was done the board budgeted $166,000.00 for the beach. So far the beach has taken in $104,000.00. Lisbon Tax Payers have to pick up the bill of $58,000.00. For the year of 2009 (which Supervisor Strader is on the board) the budget for the beach is $158,000.00 in appropriation with only $115,000.00 in revenue. $48,000.00 is lost before you even opened. The board is pushing onto the taxpayers over $100,000.00 to keep the beach open. Mr. Sanderson felt it was very poor planning for you five members seating at the table. Mr. Sanderson suggested taking the beach budget, tearing it up, and starting over again where it will come out even. The Town Board is running the taxpayers in Lisbon right into the hole. That is Mr. Sanderson's biggest concern for this budget. Jim Armstrong - Mr. Armstrong's feelings are the same as Ronnie's. He felt a mistake had bee made. The men on the Town Board are not qualified to be on the board. A mistake of $158,000 in the Town of Lisbon is un-excusable. Mr. Armstrong polled the board and asked if the board members knew that $158,000.00 was not in the budget. Councilman Shoen stated that he did not see the figures in the budget. Councilman Winters stated the same. Supervisor Strader stated that he would speak for the remaining of the board. When doing the budget there was nothing on the paper work for the budget for the Fire District. Mr. Armstrong stated that the Fire District had submitted the paper work to the Town Clerk, as a certified copy. Supervisor Strader stated that the figure was not left out intentionally. The board worked on the budget many hours. It was an honest mistake he apologized for the mistake. Mr. Armstrong stated that the town can not afford an 18% raise. He stated that General Motors is closed for another couple of weeks. Acco has laid many off. This will be a hardship for the people in Lisbon. Mr. Armstrong stated that he was on the board for 14 years and had never raised the budget during those years. Every line item that needed to be raised was needed and the revenue came in from reval and construction. This budget can be done. If this were a business instead of a town the board you would all be fired. Mr. Armstrong stated that the beach had a loss and then the board gave the director a 150% raise. How could the board give Mr. O'Neil a 150% raise when they had a lost $57,000. That's was his question. Supervisor Strader stated that Mr. O'Neil puts in roughly 40 hours a week from the first of April to the first of November. In July and August he puts in 70 to 80 hours a week. He is on call 24 hours. To keep a man of that quality who does a good job at beach, he needs to be paid well. Mr. Armstrong disagreed with Supervisor Strader to give someone a 150% increase in wages when they have lost 50 some thousand dollars. The taxpayers cannot take the burden on their backs any longer. Supervisor Strader, you must recognize that. It is impossible, not improbable, it is impossible. Ask the people on the streets on their thought of this 150% rise when people are losing their jobs and don't have any money. Mr. Armstrong stated that if Supervisor Strader took the responsibility for this budget, that was fine, but these other fellows share the responsibility too just as much as he. Supervisor Strader only has one vote. People think the supervisor has all kinds of power, but they only have one vote as the Chief Facial Officer. He can't take responsibility for everyone; it just doesn't work that way. Supervisor Strader stated that the board had worked on the budget and did the best they could do. Mr. Armstrong stated it was not good enough, just not good enough! Scott LaBarge - Fire Commissioner - He stated that their budget was in on time. The Fire Department has to follow dead lines with the Comptroller Office. He stated that the Fire District had to increase their budget by 6.34%. The cost of fuel and increase insurance, same as the prices as a homeowner are driving their budget up. Plus there were State and Federal mandates with OSHER, CASH, Public & Safety and Health that are mandated, but not funded. The fire department has put in a few numerous grants; 1 that outfitted the complete fire department with new gear for Homeland Security Line at no local cost to the taxpayers. That helps keep the budget down for the future, because it capitalized those grants. The Fire Commissioner did apologize for raising the budget, but it needed to be done. Pat Green - Mr. Green wanted to know if $2,468,000.00 is collected from Lisbon Tax Payers. He was informed that $1,062,384.00 is being collected from taxpayers. He asked if the remaining came from state and federal tax. Supervisor Strader stated it would also be coming from sales tax, CHIPS, interest, and mortgage tax. Mr. Green asked how much was required to run the town? What percentage comes from state and federal taxes? Supervisor Strader stated that he would get back to Mr. Green concerning the answer. Mr. Green stated that the budget for Superintendent of Highways needed more money. Mr. Green felt the roads are plowed too often, and too much sand was being put down. Only curves and intersections should be sanded. He felt that too much money was being spent on the roads, when the town couldn't afford it. He felt the same way regarding the beach. The town would be further ahead if the land was returned to the previous owners, even to a private enterprise. He felt that the beach and the camps should be leased out to a private entity. Mr. Green stated that Lisbon is living beyond its needs. Herb Goodison - Herb Goodison the raise for the director for the beach was ridiculous. He wanted to know if the fees are going to be raised to help pay for the beach. Supervisor Strader affirmed that the fees for the beach are going to be raised for next year. Mr. Goodison questioned why the expenses needed to be raised. Supervisor Strader explained that Mr. O'Neil has been informed that the number of lifeguards needed to be reduced when the weather wasn't good or when the beach was not being used. Mr. Goodison had one other item. This year he had to have a maple tree cut down. Mr. Dow, the Highway Superintendent, insured him several times that he would be over to cut down the tree. Finally, Mr. Goodison had to pay to have the tree cut down. The incident had really bothered Mr. Goodison. Supervisor Strader informed him that if he had any problems to call him personally. Supervisor Strader then addressed the taxpayers concerning the budget. He wanted to inform them that the board members worked hard on the budget, and wanted to review the budget to compare the 2008 budget to 2009 budget. General Expense for 2008 Expense for 2009 in round off figures $865, 000 $821,000 rough $44,000 decrease Highway $1,305,000 $1,349,000 increase of $45,000 Library $44,200. $44,600 increase of 1% Fire Department $139,000 $148,000 increase Supervisor Strader felt the board did their job. Steven Jemison - AMP Town Representative - Mr. Jemison asked the town board to approve a Lisbon resident, Linda McQuinn, to become the alternate for AMP. The decision does not have to take place this meeting; it could wait for the January appointment meeting. Supervisor Strader decided wait for the January appointment meeting. Attorney Mahlon Clements - Attorney Clements asked the board to assist him with the Power Authority to transfer three parcels to the present owner of the farm for a normal value or no payment. He stated that the CARI institute does not have the funds to purchase the attached land. Attorney Clements informed the board that there was a resolution to Sean Doyle in the folder for the board to approve. Supervisor Strader stated that a motion would take place at the December 30 th meeting. 7. Approval of Transfers Councilman Winters made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller approve the transfers for August 2008. Transfer $9.18
Transfer $ 267.01
Transfer $ 830.99
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 8. Approval of Abstracts Councilman Collins made a motion, seconded by Superintendent Strader to approve the abstracts from November 2008.
Ayes - 5 Nays - 0
9. Approval of Supervisor Report Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to approve the Supervisor Report. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0
10. Report from Legislator Forsythe Legislator Forsythe informed the board that the county budget has been passed by 12 yes to 2 no, with Legislator Forsythe being 1 of the 2 no. He felt there could be more positions cut. With so many people being laid off, government can't operate. We can't just increase revenue and not cut expenses. He felt this is the time for employees to step up to the plate, that are making a good salary, and chip in to help out the economy. Councilman Collins asked what the factor was per thousand for this year. Legislator Forsythe said it is staying about the same. The county is depleting the fund balance to help keep the taxes down. He didn't like this idea, but did state that there was too much in the fund balance. Legislator Forsythe did move forward for the boat slips from the million-dollar casino revenue. The first vote was no with 7 to 7 tie with 1 member absent. The initial request was for $160 thousand, then reduced to $50 thousand, and then finally submitted for $20 thousand. $20 thousand was the only way he could get a second. The proposal was denied because a lot if it went back to the Power Authority negotiation. There is a lot of animosity between Power Authority Negotiation and the Town of Lisbon. When it came up for the final budget, Legislator Forsythe brought it forward again. It passed at $20,000.00 for the boat slips, which is better, than nothing. Legislator Forsythe asked if there were any questions? Ron Sanderson asked if the county budget was finalized. Legislator Forsythe answer yes. Mr. Sanderson inquired that if one of you're the county committees forgot a line in the budget, would it be possible to go back and open that budget? Supervisor Strader spoke up and stated for Legislator Forsythe to take care of County Business on County Time. • Highway Superintendent Report Highway Superintendent Dow was not present as he had a long day working with freezing rain and snow. • Old Business A. Amendment of Budget There was a mistake in a line in the Library Budget that stated it was $1,000, instead of $11,000. It needed to be amended. Attorney Nash informed the board that it needed to be amended on the revenue side, as well as the expense side. Supervisor Strader suggested to increase the expense to $11,000 and take $10,000 out of contingency and put it in Revenue side so it wouldn't add an increase to the tax rate. Town Clerk McBath informed the board that it had already been submitted to the State Comptroller office with the figures of $43,300.00 in L1001 Real Property Tax for Revenue and an addition of $10,000.00 added into L7410.2 Librarian. Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to approve the amendment to Line L1001 Rea Real Property Tax for Revenue and line L7410.2 Librarian by $10,000.00. (For information this is to purchase books and magazines.) Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 • New Business A. AMP Resolution # 16 Admitting Waddington Whereas the Town of Waddington has expressed an interest in becoming a member of AMP, and Whereas the AMP Executive Committee recommends the admission of Waddington, and Whereas the AMP Commission voted to recommend the admission of Waddington, and Whereas the inclusion of Waddington would be beneficial in unifying the AMP service territory; Now Therefore it is resolved that the town of Lisbon votes to grant the Town of Waddington full membership in the Alliance for Municipal Power, with the understanding that such admission is contingent upon the Town of Waddington signing the Inter-Municipal Agreement of which all AMP municipalities are signatories of. I certify that this resolution was passed with 5 Yes votes, 0 No votes and 0 Abstentions at a duly convened meeting of the Town of Lisbon December 10, 2008. Donna D. McBath Town Clerk Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to grant the Town of Waddington to joint the membership of AMP. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 B. AMP Resolution # 17 Admitting Madrid Whereas the Town of Madrid has expressed an interest in becoming a member of AMP, and Whereas the AMP Executive Committee recommends the admission of Madrid, and Whereas the AMP Commission voted to recommend the admission of Madrid, and Whereas the inclusion of Madrid would be beneficial in unifying the AMP service territory; Now Therefore it is resolved that the town of Lisbon votes to grant the Town of Madrid full membership in the Alliance for Municipal Power, with the understanding that such admission is contingent upon the Town of Madrid signing the Inter-Municipal Agreement of which all AMP municipalities are signatories of. I certify that this resolution was passed with 5 Yes votes, 0 No votes and 0 Abstentions at a duly convened meeting of the Town of Lisbon December 10, 2008. Donna D. McBath Town Clerk Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to grant the Town of Madrid to join the membership of AMP. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 C. Copier for Town Clerk's Office - Town Clerk McBath informed the board that the copier in her office was not doing so well. It needed a new drum and some other repairs. The drum cost over $100.00 and unknown what the cost would be for the other repairs that are needed. She also stated that we had already put in approximately $200.00 in the past for a $600.00 machine. Do we want to spend more money on a machine that is worn out? The Town Clerk requested a new copier. The cost would be between $600.00 to $1000.00. Councilman Schneller suggested on getting another copier that would take the same toner as the one she already has. She was directed to look into that. • End of the year meeting scheduled - Supervisor Strader requested the end of the year meeting be at 7:00 AM on December 30, 2008. All members agreed at that time and date. • Executive Session Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Collins to go into executive session at 7:00 PM for the Verizon Law Suit. Supervisor Strader made a motion, seconded by Councilman Winters to return to the regular meeting at 7:18 PM. 15. Verizon Law Suit Attorney Nash has brought in the Consent Order and Stipulation of Verizon of New York Inc. -vs.- The Assessor, Board of Assessment Review and the Town of Lisbon, New York concerning the tax assessment reduction. Year of 2008 tax assessment for five parcels are to remain as is. Year of 2009 tax assessment is to be lower for parcels 650.000-9999-631-900/1881 from $1,151,439 to $978,723 650.000-9999-631.900/1882 from $94,525 to $80,346 650.000-9999-631-900/1883 from $74,940 to $63.699 650.000-9999-631.900/1884 from $37,266 to $31.676 650.000-9999-631.900/1885 from $1,904 to 1,618 Year of 2010 tax assessment is to be lower from parcels 650.000-9999-631-900/1881 from $978,723 to 806,007 650.000-9999-631.900/1882 from $80,346 to $66,168 650.000-9999-631-900/1883 from $63,699 to 52,458 650.000-9999-631.900/1884 from $31,676 to 26,086 650.000-9999-631.900/1885 from $1,618 to 1,333
Councilman Collins made a motion, seconded by Councilman Schneller to have Attorney Nash proceed law suit as stated. Aye - 5 Nays - 0 16. Adjournment Councilman Schneller made a motion, seconded by Councilman Shoen to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 P.M. Ayes - 5 Nays - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Donna D. McBath Town Clerk Gouverneur |
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