Financial worries in Highland

By SUSAN WADE
Posted 8/19/20

ELDRED, NY — Supervisor Jeff Haas began his monthly report with a plea to people to complete their census forms, stating that the response rate is a miserable 31 percent for the county, which …

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Financial worries in Highland

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ELDRED, NY — Supervisor Jeff Haas began his monthly report with a plea to people to complete their census forms, stating that the response rate is a miserable 31 percent for the county, which spells financial disaster for the county and the state for getting federal aid. He echoed other reports to be mindful that census drivers will be driving about and said that folks should open their door to the census worker, or better yet, file online or by phone. Data collection efforts have been hampered in this area because the forms were not sent to post office boxes. 

He also reported that construction of the town salt shed is “moving along at warp speed.” The supervising engineer was on site along with the building inspector and building superintendent, and a work order will be prepared to address some minor issues. Completion is still expected to be by Friday, October 16. 

The third item on Haas’s checklist was the town budget. He reported that $20 million of revenue has been lost at the county level due to the economic downturn and that there will be a resulting trickle-down effect. This is in addition to the already known 20 percent reduction from the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program. Said Haas, “If there was ever a time for a 0 percent increase budget, this might be the time. We will be adopting an austerity plan for the town.” 

There has been no movement on System for Award Management (SAM) grant funds due the town since the prior month’s meeting. SAM grants are state and municipal facilities monies for which towns can apply to fund capital improvements, as the town did when it constructed its new highway garage. The $125 thousand of state grant funds had been approved and the documentation moved forward to the state treasurer’s desk. Having been told that no checks had been written, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther’s office is working on this issue.   

Receipt of these funds in a timely manner is of particular interest because of the fast-approaching September 18 expiration date of short-term bond anticipation notes that the town floated to fund the construction of the highway garage. Receipt of these SAM grant monies would decrease the number of long-term bonds that would need to be floated to pay off these short-term obligations. Another lingering unknown is the timing of funds that will accrue to the town from the sale of the old highway garage. The anticipated purchaser is said to be looking into alternative financing mechanisms to complete the deal. Tentatively, a 9/11 ceremony is being scheduled, with members of local emergency response teams taking part. Social distancing and masking requirements will be observed. 

Following the public portion of the town meeting, the board met in executive session to discuss pending legal matters. Those included the recent filing of a lawsuit by Millennium Pipeline Company challenging the tax assessment by the town and continued code violations at the Catskill Mountain Resort. Haas said that in that matter, court dates had been set before the town court and Supreme court but would provide no further details.

Financial, worries, Highland, Eldred, System Award Management, grant, funds

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