Newark Village Shareholders meet
By John Zornow

With about 20 residents in attendance at last night's annual shareholders' meeting, Mayor Fred Pirelli gave an overview of the village's financial condition, objectives, and future projects.

Pirelli touched upon the proposed budget, which, with one public hearing remaining will probably contain a tax increase of 2.29%. The Mayor once again hammered on the reasons for the increase. "Totally out of our control" was the term he used to describe the effect of previous lawsuit debt ($84,675), Alex Eligh Community Center debt ($78,900) and Canal Corridor debt ($55,000). (These figures are what is budgeted for 1999-2000.) Pirelli gave a scenario that without this debt, the budget would show a decrease of 5.59%. This year's budget shows a year-end surplus of $300,000 which Pirelli indicated was appropriate for a village this size.

"Irresponsible," said Pirelli when he brought up the subject of a paid ad that ran in last week's Courier-Gazette. This ad, written and paid for by Newark businessman Richard Colacino critcized the village board for the lack of guide rails along VanBuren St., east of East Ave.; and a traffic light pole that has been unused for several years. Pirelli stressed that the responsibility for the cost and installation of said guide rails rests with the Canal Authority. He indicated that the cost of the guide rails would be $18,905.

During the shareholders meeting, Mayor Pirelli introduced the new board and all managers present. He had high praise for village attorney Art Williams who provided the legal advice that kept adult entertainment from locating in downtown Newark. Pirelli also praised outgoing village clerk/treasurer Michael Tonovitz for his establishment of Capital Reserve Funds.

Ange DeJohn was present at the meeting and wanted to know where the rest of the public was. She mentioned the hard work that "the two Jims" (managers Jim Sadler and Jim Bridgeman) do and said that it is a "shame that nobody cares."

Village resident Emily Leone asked several questions about budget line items, and expressed her concern about the high village tax rate. She mentioned that the county and town rates have dropped and asked why the village had not. Pirelli challenged her to find a village in the area that provides the services that Newark does. He also reminded her that cities like Geneva, because they are cities, are eligible for many more millions in aid and other handouts. Said Pirelli, "Newark looks like a city, acts like a city, but..."

The next public hearing is scheduled for April 20 at 7 p.m.

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