From the Marion Supervisor
By Monica Deyo, Marion Supervisor

At the meeting of the Marion Town Board held November 1, the 2000 Town Budget was adopted. It reflected an increase of about 33 cents per thousand of assessed value. For the average $80,000 home, this is equal to about $26 more per year. This increase is directly related to our plan to build a substantial Highway Equipment Reserve Fund so that we can implement an 18-year replacement schedule for all vehicles and equipment. We already have $109,000 in the fund and, by keeping enough money in this savings account, we will be able to replace our aging equipment without spiking the tax rate each time a purchase becomes necessary. You will still have input on this, because we cannot take money out of reserves without first having a public hearing on the subject.

We had hoped to have a good number of people in attendance at the budget hearing so that we could get feedback as to whether taxpayers approved of this expenditure (consider the Walworth Road sidewalk issue - the people affected made it clear that they did not want them, so we did not support their installation). However, only six people showed up, and it turned out that they were really there to discuss water extensions - not the budget! The Town Board was glad to have them, though, and we went through the budget page by page and explained it and answered questions as they arose. We invite you to come into the Town Hall anytime and take a look at the budget. I'd be glad to go through it with you.

The elections have come and gone without much fanfare, and I want to thank the 60+ voters who came out in the inclement weather, in spite of the fact that there really wasn't much of a choice on the ballot this year. Your support is really appreciated, and I send my congratulations to Tirn Boerman, LaVeme Bliek, and Christina Trombley for their success. We shall see quite a change at the County Board of Supervisors, with four new supervisors elected from Arcadia, Williamson, Galen, and Huron. The County portion of this position is always a challenge, and few people realize how much time goes into serving both Town and County government. I find it sometimes frustrating, but usually rewarding - if politics do not get in the way of sensibility. Good luck to all!

Now that we are headed into the snow season, you are reminded that it would be helpful if you put a stake by your mailboxes so that the highway crew can tell where your receptacles are located. This will help prevent the mailboxes from being knocked down when the men are plowing in the dark (at 5 in the morning), or when the snow is so high that it obscures the boxes.

The year 2000 census will be taking place early this spring, and the federal government is looking for people willing to do field work in connection with this function. The pay starts at $9.75/hour, and you will be needed for about 8 weeks. There is information posted on the bulletin boards in both the Town Hall and the Library - check it out! It is important that we have an accurate count of our residents. Our State Aid is based on the number of people we have in our Town, as well as the Countys' sales tax revenue sharing. Also, the HUD grants are based on median income, which is part of the infortnation gathered in the census. In addition, the weighted vote at the County Board of Supervisors is determined by our population, so, as our town grows, so does our voting strength.

Finally, we do have a speed limit of 15 mph in front of the elementary school. Please observe it for the safety of our children. Our crossing guard will wave you on if it is safe to pass the buses stopped to load or unload the students, but please wait for his signal so that you can safely proceed.

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