Newark budget hearings are set
By John Zornow

A tentative Newark village budget of $4,002,400 was unveiled at Tuesday's board meeting. This amount, which represents an increase of .002%, will (if adopted) mean an increase in the rate of 8.9%, or 93 cents per thousand.

Mayor Fred Pirelli emphasized that what was driving the rate increase was backlash from a previous lawsuit, and payments on the Alex Eligh Community Center bond. "Without these items," said Pirelli, "the tax rate would rise only 12 cents." Mayor Pirelli referred to the lawsuit and community center debt as "uncontrollable."

Pirelli went on to say that this budget leaves all surplus funds intact and no increases are planned for water and sewer.

He announced that actions have been taken to answer questions and concerns concerning the New York State Audit:

• Have outside mini-audits at six-month intervals.
• Establish budget oversight committee and sub-committees.
• Adopt change-order procedure.
• Get monthly and quarterly reports from all departments. Also - accurate budgeting (less than 1% variance in current budget.)
• Timely financial reporting.

In other village matters, Municipal Board Chairman James SanAngelo reported on the progress on the waste treatment plant updates, indicating that Phase 2 will be completed sometime in 1999. SanAngelo also indicated that the recent heavy rains caused an overload on the plant. This means, according to SanAngelo that large amounts of rainwater is finding its way into the village sewer system. Chairman SanAngelo indicated that this problem needs high priority.

Pirelli reported that Newark was awarded a $40,000 grant from the Regional Transportation Authority recently to fund a feasibility study for a NYS Thruway exit on Route 88. Pirelli and Arcadia Supervisor Dom Bartucca made their case before the transportation group several weeks ago.

Highway Manager Jim Sadler reported that the preliminary plans for the East Ave. bridge were ready for approval. He explained details of the plans to the board. The board unanimously approved the plans for the bridge with the following stipulations:

• The cost MUST be UNDER $800,000.
• The bridge will have no weight limit and will carry two-way traffic.

Manager Jim Bridgeman reported that the interperative center planned for T.S. Knight Park will probably be funded for 1999. He also indicated that the Beautification Committee is planning to work on Elliott Park this spring. Elliott Park is located between Newark Diner and the old railroad bridge on East Union St.

Hearings on the tentative budget are scheduled for April 7 and April 21.

The annual Shareholder and Organizational Meeting is April 7, at 7 p.m. at the Newark High School.

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