Village taxes expected to rise $1 .64
By Donna Comella

A few citizens balked at a 25 percent increase in sewer rates. And a couple had a problem with spending $25,000 for an ice skating rink at the communtiy center. But, for the most part, Tuesday night's public hearings went without a hitch.

When the new Village Board assembled for the first time since last month's election, it faced a group of about 30 people in the High School auditorium. Officials explained the need to borrow $1.1 million for repairs/upgrades to the sewer plant, and the need to increase sewer fees.

As for the proposed budget, Clerk/Treasurer/Budget Officer Michael Tonovitz told citizens that the "good news" is spending is down - from $4.1 million to $3.9 million. His "bad news" - taxes are going up. Tentatively, the rate will rise from $9.20 to $10.84.

Tonovitz, who's been on the job only since February, said that taxes are being hiked for several reasons - no surplus, unavoidable expenses, and less sales tax revenue. Tonovitz's list of "unavoidable" expenditures included the lawsuit settlement with Jake Provoost Mayo, the reconstruction of the Alex Eligh Community Center, a new roof at the fire hall, salaries, and a new skating rink at the AECC.

Rich Holdridge asked about the "mandatory" rink. Tonovitz assured him that the rink was not mandatory, but, "in the community's best interest." He also assured Holdridge that if the public wanted it removed from the spending plan, it could easily be done.

Holdridge drew applause when he told the board that faced with an 18% tax increase, "to even consider a $25,000 ice skating rink is ludicrous."

Ange DeJohn echoed Holdridge's views and asked for assurances that vandals wouldn't destroy a new rink like they did the one on the north end. Dom Bartucca spoke in favor of the rink, saying that if it kept even one kid off the street, or influenced just one homebuyer to live in Newark, it would be a good investment. Charlie Rich agreed.

Aside from the rink, citizens seemed anxious to talk about "marketing" Newark and all it has to offer. Holdridge suggested that the board appoint a committee to begin work on accenting Newark's positives. Len Colavito and Mike DeJohn agreed. DeJohn said that the marketing could be achieved if the community could just pull together and have a positive attitude.

Charlie Rich then ended the public hearing with this summation: "Newark is a Benchmark Community, but there are too many people sitting on the bench."

In other business official appointments were made.

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