Lumberland hears expert on town classification issues

Vote scheduled for May 24 in town hall

By SANDY LONG

GLEN SPEY, NY — An attorney hired by the Lumberland Town Board to answer questions about an upcoming voter referendum regarding the town’s classification addressed a large crowd of anxious residents at the town hall on Wednesday, May 16.

Attorney Philip Dixon, a partner with Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna of Albany, NY, began by presenting a summary of the issues related to the town’s decision as to whether it will remain a town of the second class or become a town of the first class. Dixon then answered questions from those in attendance.

The town will vote on a referendum scheduled for May 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the town hall. The referendum is the result of a petition filed by resident Van Krzywicki and other concerned townspeople.

In a statement read that evening, Krzywicki charged that the issues prompting the petition involve town finances, the accountability of the town board and the inability of board members to work together. After being interrupted by an audience member, Krzywicki defended his statements by replying, “I have the tenacity and determination to participate in my local government.”

A pamphlet circulated by Krzywicki summarized the concerns of a group of residents who feel the current supervisor and board are not doing a good job. “We elected them to collaborate. We elected the supervisor to lead by finding the common ground we all share, not to polarize. We elected them to hold the purse strings and spend our hard-earned money wisely. We appointed the attorney to represent the entire town, not one faction of the board.”

As the meeting wore on, more accounts of dissatisfaction with current town board practices were shared. In addition to asking questions, some residents read prepared statements attacking the town board and supervisor John LiGreci.

Planning board chairman Charles Burnett accused the town board of taking a “defensive stance” and asked, “What are you hiding? Why all the secretiveness?” But another resident rose to his feet and interrupted Burnett, shouting, “I came here to hear these learned individuals speak, not those polishing their own apples!”

LiGreci repeatedly called for order and asked people to stick to questions related to the purpose of the informational session. Townspeople sought clarification of advantages and disadvantages for the classification change, and several concluded that there was little to be gained by changing the town classification from second to first class.

According to Dixon, the supervisor’s and town clerk’s terms would change from four years to two, but could be changed back again through a voter’s referendum. The town constabulary would be eliminated as of January 1, but the town board could choose to reinstate the positions. Re-establishing the constabulary would not require a referendum.

The position of tax collector would change to a receiver of taxes, which performs the same basic functions, but can also receive school and town municipal taxes. The change would allow, but not require, the hiring of a controller. Council members’ terms would change to allow for staggered two-year terms. Two positions would initially be four-year terms for the first election. At the next election, all would become two-year terms.

Dixon reported that becoming a town of the first class would not require changing to a central sewage system; there would be no difference in how taxes are figured and no changes to fire and ambulance service. However, once the classification change is made, a town cannot return to a town of the second class.

In a second legal opinion obtained by Councilwoman Nadia Rajsz from Associate Attorney Harry Willis representing the NYS Department of State, Willis confirmed information similar to that offered by Dixon at the special meeting. Visit www.1stClassLumberland.com for details.

If the referendum passes, the Town of Lumberland would become a town of the first class effective January 1, 2008.