My company struggled last year and didn't give out bonuses. That amounted to a significant pay cut for me and my peers. And things aren't looking any better this year! Combine that with a skyrocketing cost of living and plummeting home prices and I'm not willing to support ANY tax increase.
Many families like mine had to prioritize spending on reduced incomes this year (due to layoffs, pay cuts, etc.). If we can survive on reduced incomes, so can the government. The town and schools both need to tighten their belts, become more efficient, cut the waste, save money and reduce taxes this year. Those elected officials who claim that government is somehow different (and can't get by on less money) are hucksters who should be thrown out of office at the first opportunity.
I'm tired of hearing how difficult it is for government to get by on their so-called "small" tax increases year after year, or how "devastating" a 7% spending increase will be, etc. Government officials who try pushing this drivel again are simply out of touch with reality. Anxious voters will not have the patience for it this year. As far as I'm concerned, my days of buying the sob stories and ignoring all the waste are over.
"I agree with Bill in these economic times I think that [2.33%] would be the highest that could be absorbed by taxpayers."
Why is there never any talk about how much spending is actually justified or needed? Just picking an arbitrary number like 2.33% out of thin air is nonsensical because it assumes the government is currently running at 100% efficiency. Does any thinking person actually believe that's the case???
I'd be very surprised if the government and schools were currently running at anything more than 60% efficiency. But even if I'm wrong and they're running at 70%, 80% or even 90% efficiency, there's still plenty of waste to be eliminated from the current town and school budgets. Unless I hear politicians start talking about reducing waste from the current budgets, I'm voting 'NO' on any tax increase.
The last comment is right on the money. No one ever bothers to examine, in a forensic sense if necessary, where there is waste. The Town just assumes that the requests are valid but extravagant. Wrong.
BOE Member Bill Wellman suggested that there should be proof to support the requested increases. After watching the videos, I saw none. Did you?
70% of YOUR taxes are for the school system...we should have 70% of their INCREASE justified! WHy an increase? They had a 2 million dollor SURPLUS last year--so why isn't their budget LESS by 1 to 1. million?! The fact that Dr Diamond would be arrogant enough to state in the paper that she (et al) will NOT look over their budget again is insulting to every taxpayer in New Milford. HOW DARE YOU think you got it right on the first and ONLY try. I guess you must be perfect.
They've never had to justify a budget before, so why start now?
It takes absolutely no time, effort or brains to rubber-stamp a % increase over last year's budget. However, it would take substantial time, effort and brains to actually review all the line items and expenditures in the budget. Most of our elected officials are unwilling to put in the time and effort, because they lack the brains to understand the budget anyway.
That's why the Town Council goes on and on about trivial matters like the cost of a couple hundred dollars worth of options on a proposed new town car, while they ignore the millions being wasted elsewhere. Go to a budget hearing, you'll be shocked by the inanity.
The Town Council is providing almost no oversight on what's being spent in New Milford... It's absolutely appalling!
2.33% (the cost of living increase in Social Security benefits) seems a bit arbitrary and low. I'd be happy with something less than last year. Or, looking at the last few years, down around 4%.
The BOE should be out of the facilities business because either they blame that infrastructure and utilities for their cost increase or the paper misrepresents the true portion of the increase those costs are. Staff...
One assumption I'd change is counter to the efficiency argument, but actually funding the infrastructure that is failing? Or that we have the right staff in the right places to enforce the laws to prevent sprawl and preserve the safety of residents?
Efficiency is a great concept on the assembly line or making burgers, but actual thinking people are sometimes needed in the real world.
Do any of you think the cost of living went up only 2.33% in the last 12 months? Check out the basic staples you need for everyday living: gas prices, home heating oil or natural gas prices, food prices? Then, read about how the prices of so many basic comodities are sky rocketing due to the Chinese/Indian economies - it affects the prices of building roads, bridges, etc.
That 2.33% is a joke, and includes the never ending drop in technology hardware/software.
Don't be surprised if the Mayor's budget comes in over 2.33%. If it doesn't, then you know there's something "fishy" going on.
We are relying on Councilman Ray O'Brien to watch out for us seniors. He and his lovely wife Pat are on a fixed income so they understand our needs and problems. We can't afford ANY tax increase. Thank you, Ray. We're depending on you!
Ray OBrein loves senior programs and social programs. Look at the mess he created with the senior tax freeze. The only thing you can count on is an INCREASE in spending from him. Back to the increase, it should be no more than 2.25%. By the way it was less than 4% last year. It was closer to 2.25%.
The town is good and the schools are GREAT. As long as it's under 10% I'm all for it. I didn't get a major salary increase either but I realize the schools and educators are underfunded and do a great job.
Budget time in New Milford is like a wish list at Christmas. Things are slipped in with the hopes that no one will realize what it actually means. So many things happen the following year that I don't believe I really ever saw in the budget. The Town Clerks off has been remodeled at least three times since Mr Buckbee won the position but I can't remember knowing about it through the budget. Would I have accepted that item - NO! There are at least fifteen brand new small computer, flat screens etc in that office while the other offices I visited still had the large bulky, slow computers. Why has technology only landed in one office? The Fire Marshall office has gone from one employee to the Head of Dept, Assistant, another full time person and parttime people - one secretary. Parttime employees are brought in and I have not seem this in the budget. Public works has summer uniforms, winter uniforms, coats, work shoes, T shirts etc. Did I see these items in the budget? The cleaning Co? Every year we are shown amounts but I really believe we should have a history of departments - maybe in a graph form to see the total budget each year from previous years in a single look. Sometimes the amount is not what counts but the increase from previous years. It would alert us to the questions that have to be asked. This is also true with the school budget..I want to be able to see an increase history for items even though we don't have line item review. The Town Council sees last years and this years budget item but if they had a graph where just one look of the previous ten years lets them know that the item has actually skyrocketed through the years then questions can be asked. Total personal should also be graphed for departments. I would really like to see the School administration office in this form.
Could administration office jobs be combined or do we really need a new employee with insurance and benefits to accomplish a new job?
I really believe that the Board of Finance, Town Council and Board of Education need to know what all departments actually do. This I am positive they don't. How can they know about the budget unless they visit each office to see for themselves. Just a half hour walk through should give them ideas. Most only enter the Town Hall for meetings sfter hours.
Some head of department are great at hiding the figures while other departments have been held stagnet by ineffective head of departments.
We're talking about a "huge budget" and I'm not sure the people in charge know enough about spending and saving.
I could go on but in a long run I don't think it will make a difference. Remember to watch the pennies because they grow into dollars..then into milllions! I will not vote for the Education budget because they have not done the work they should have. They have been arrogant about the Mayor's request. I believe the Town side will offer an understandable budget but it still will need to be closely looked at.
Maybe Rabbi Koch would like to make a nice big overpayment of taxes. Every year he offers to get another mortgage if that's what it takes to support the education budget. Is he feeling guilty?
The town has IT dept of one person and he is has updated many depts however being one person it goes very slowly and if they cut the budget it goes ever slower. PW Dept issues their employees safety coats and vests that are reflective. Would you want to stand in the rds without these? People drive crazy out there. Also some Union conracts have shoe allowances in them. I love it when people complain about things they no nothing about. Ask the questions first before accusing. Town clerk most likely paid for all their updating since they take in lots of money from filing fees to copy fees. Fire Marshall office had been way behind for a long time. They always had issues in keeping up with the work load. Glad they have the staff.
PW works very hard to keep the rds safe.. No matter what the town does some people are never happy the next comment will be I can't go to work since the rds are so bad where is the Plow truck? You cnat have it both ways either you can get to work or you can't. I wouldnt want there long hours.. They may get paid but the sleep is NEVER recovered.
Some of you should ask questions before answering mine. Yes I agree rain gear, reflextive gear, safety boots should be available. I'm saying that the UNIFORMS they wear are supplied by a company that also cleans them. On what line did this appear?. Your asking where can we cut - start small and the larger will follow. Like TV's in the cafeteria,
Town clerks money from copies goes into the general budget. When major expenses are going to accure it should go under capital expenditures. Do you mean that the offices that don't bring in money should not be updated or updated "at a date to be announced".
I'm certainly not saying don't pave roads or sand just look closer for the hidden items
Anonymous Feb 16, 10:08am posted. Public works has summer uniforms, winter uniforms, coats, work shoes, T shirts etc. Did I see these items in the budget? Just to set the record straight, the only "uniform" public works gets are the vests that we wear. There is no uniform. We wear the same vests winter, summer, spring and fall. We do get a boot alotment every March, but that is in the union contract, therefore in the budget. Any other "uniforms", coats, t-shirts, etc you see were purchased by that employee, not the town. The public works side of the budget is one of the most bare bones parts of the towns budget you get. We are constantly being told there is no more money in the budget for a part to repair a vehicle, or for cement to repair a basin, etc. How often do you see the department asking for more emergency money in the winter to cover a budget overrun due to storms. The problem here is with the school budget, thats where the cuts have to be made. That is where the majority of the waste comes from. just my opinion.
posted by anonymous "Plow trucks are noisy and wake me up."
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY GO OVER THE SAME SECTION OF ROAD 3 OR 4 TIMES IN A 15 MINUTE PERIOD...WHILE ON OVERTIME.
February 16, 2008 3:39 PM
Well if the trucks carried 24 foot wide plows, then only one pass would be necesary. If the plow trucks only made one pass down your street, you would have an 8 foot wide section plowed down your street. Most times 4 passes are necesary to open up a road curb to curb so things like your mail can be delivered and your kids picked up for school. Use a little common sense next time before posting about things you obviously know nothing about. signed I hope I am your plow guy.
OK, Mr. Plow guy....but is it necessary for you to double the speed limit down my road and knock down half the mailboxes, simply because the snow you're pushing flies at them too fast???
Then PW says that it's not their problem. If you did the actual speed limit, this wouldn't happen....
I can tell you that the snow removal in NM is much better than the Midwest. And it has to be better because of the hills - I can't imagine the number of accidents that would happen in this town if the plows and their crews were only as good as those in the Midwest.
Thanks, boys, as I know what a good job you do and how many accidents you prevent. Those of us who have lived elsewhere appreciate what you do.
Anonymous said... OK, Mr. Plow guy....but is it necessary for you to double the speed limit down my road and knock down half the mailboxes, simply because the snow you're pushing flies at them too fast???
Then PW says that it's not their problem. If you did the actual speed limit, this wouldn't happen....
February 18, 2008 7:57 AM
You are not happy unless you have something to whine about are you. If your mailbox keeps getting knocked down, chances are you dont have it positioned right behind the curb line. Also, mailboxes happen, there is nothing we can do about it. If you dont put up a sturdy box and it gets knocked down by slush, well, than it is your problem, not ours. And please, double the speed limit? A little dramatic don't you think. A plow truck is large and loud when pushing snow, chances are it looks like it is moving faster tahan it actually is, but I feel like i am most likely wasting words on you. You just dont like your plow guy. You should really ask PW if you could ride along some day during a storm. See just what we have to put up with and how difficult the job is. Can you stay alert enough to power a 20 ton vehicle down the road while dodging all kinds of obstacles after not getting more than a cat nap in two days, or three, all while trying not to get snowblind by the flying snow. Having quads and snowmobiles shoot [past you without warning, or autos who have no business being out in the storm try and pass you. I could go on, but like I said, I think it is falling on deaf ears here.
PW doing the speed limit is not the problem heavy wet snow or ice that knocks peoples mailboxes down is. Not the plow hitting them. How many of you really check your posts? Lots of them are rotted and with the slight smack with the snow they drop like flys, NM should be like the state they don't replace mailboxes at all. Lots of money for mailboxes is wasted. Put up plyboard and make sure they are far back enough and you would not loose the mailbox. If its to close the gutter line you will have an issue. Also what is with people spend hundreds of dollars on a bill recepticle? I dont have that kind of money to waste on a mailbox. Pleaseee Again you complain about your mailbox being taken down however the town replaces them or fixes them. And you can get out of your road when its a bad storm..
To get back to the budget items..I really do not believe that the public works dept does NOT buy the uniform for the maintenance and facilities people. When was the last time you went to work and everybody dressed the same because they wanted to?
How about consolidated purchasing? Buy for the best cost instead of what the depts request. You get what they buy or buy your own if you think it's not good enough. Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a case of pencils instead of 50 boxes of different kind? How about the cost of paper - just go into any building, either School or Town and these's paper all over - do you really think it's all needed? Come on can't you think of any savings?
Anonymous said... To get back to the budget items..I really do not believe that the public works dept does NOT buy the uniform for the maintenance and facilities people. When was the last time you went to work and everybody dressed the same because they wanted to?
What you are talking about is the Facilities Maintenance dept of Public Works. Your first post did not state faciliteis maintenance, just public works. They do not "buy" the uniforms for these guys. They have a company that supplies and cleans the uniforms, a rental agreement if you will. If you look in the last budget, I am sure you will see this listed. But your initial post stated that uniforms were supplied to Public Works workers in general. Highway and facilities maint are two seperate entities within public works. Uniforms for the highway department were put into the last budget, then removed to cut the budget. The Public Works part of the town budget is not the problem, the management has always done a great job of keeping the budget as low as possible. The cuts need to come from the bloated school budget and Paddyfoot needs to revisit it and do what needs to be done to keep any increase realistic, not what she wants.
"The cuts need to come from the bloated school budget and Paddyfoot needs to revisit it and do what needs to be done to keep any increase realistic, not what she wants."
This writer is so, so right! Why do our road projects always have to suffer? Because of the "bloated" BOE budget.
The Director of Public Works is angry because he knows what needs to be done but there's always a fight to get the money to do it.
The blowhards on the Council just don't get it. They refuse to say no to anyone who can muster a few votes in the audience.
Everyone who has been commenting here should go to the Mayor's budget presentation tomorrow night. Wanna bet she comes in at just under a 5% tax increase?
What just slays me is the number of things the "taxpayers" want for "their" dollar.[.30 for town services-.70 for the BOE] Every little thing gets a phone call to some department in the government for the government to fix. Neighbors won't talk to neighbors, residents won't clear snow in front of their mailboxes with a shovel, nor help their neighbor either. Calls flood PW over the littlest thing that I bet your parents wouldn't have bothered with but gone out and fixed thenselves in the years gone past. Most adults of the 50's would die before letting the government bail them out--they had pride in their houses, themselves--not whining that the "plowdriver drove past my house 4 times and woke me up" No thanks, for clearing the roads so I can get to work, you were up all night, but if PW just starting plowing at the normal time I bet you would be the first on the phone to complain--I can't get to work. No one wants to shovel the end of their driveway, call and complain. No responsibility anymore, let the government fix everything and then cry when you have to "pay" with high taxes. Residents, you can't have it BOTH ways. Stop calling the government to fix every little thing that by rights should belong to the homeowner, and you might find dollars to fix the roads.Homeowners with private problems wanting the government to fix--drainage, zoning the list goes on. The same with the school budget--if parents took responsibility and taught their kids to respect school and not expect the teachers to do everything the budget might not be so bloated. Help your neighbor, stop calling over every little pothole, drive the speed limit, slow down and things will be better in this town! The villianization of government workers is depressing, most of the employees that I have encountered try very hard to satisfy the residents, but most residents just want to complain, they don't want a solution.
Good for you! I don't work for the Town but you are right that people will not assume responsibility for ANYTHING.
I don't want to start a union discussion here but I'm sure that there are people at DPW who should have been fired a long time ago and would have been except the union came to their rescue. It's pretty bad when a guy is a safety hazard, no one wants to work with him and yet the union protects him. What about the guy that sings and went to Parks and Rec? But most are decent, hard-working people, no doubt.
You are very right about people calling and moaning. I want this. I want that. Buddy, pick up a damn shovel!
Remember Ann Stone? DPW had to straighten out a sight line and the Town wound up doing all sorts of private work for her when she moaned and groaned. New lamposts, new driveway curtain. New stone work. Pat Hackett caved in to her like a cheap tent and promised all this expensive and unnecessary work.
Mailboxes? We shouldn't pay to replace them if they aren't in the right place.
Quick FYI-Pat Hackett didn't agree to anything with Ann Stone. That was Mayor Gambino (gee she is in the Garden Club...)HE signed the agreement. But you are correct that she asked for way more than she really deserved and let the Town of New Milford cover the costs...she should have been happy with PW fixing the road, but nooo she wanted more and Gambino gave it to his buddy.
I worked for PW when gambino and Hackett were around. I remember having to go cut up a tree that fell on her property that was 20 feet off the road edge and fell into her property. She blamed it on the road work and we had to clean it up. Glad things like that dont happen anymore.
I think this went way off topic about what is shown in the budget and what isn't.
Uniforms, safety equipment etc. hardly sound out of line.
Paper??? Not everyone has a computer, but at least the town government now has computers. Now that I'm thinking about it who authorized printers!!! Those bastards. Snuck it through. Why wasn't it a referendum?
Plow drivers - can't live with them, kids would be in school until July without them. Keep driving your SUV and hope for global warming.
The state takes in $700 million in gas taxes and gives $30 million in road aid to the 169 towns. This was in the Rep-am today.
Hmmm...
We have a choice if the town budget is voted down, would you like to see it increased or decreased?
If the BOE budget is voted down, would you like to see it increased or decreased?
Town up, BOE down. No more than 4%
He with the highest taxes loses. It is a contest. Low taxes = growth. High taxes(or high spending) = stagnation/recession/depression...
"...We are relying on Councilman Ray O'Brien to watch out for us seniors. He and his lovely wife Pat are on a fixed income so they understand our needs and problems..."
Mr. O'Brein is watching out for himself and if other's happen to benefit, then it's purely coincidental.
Mr. O'Brein's senior programs and social programs waste a lot of money. He is no friend of the taxpayer, be they senior citizens or anyone else. If he and other councilmen believe senior's taxes are too high, how can they not conclude that everyone's taxes are too high? Their support of the "senior tax freeze" is political class warfare pure and simple.
There are two main reasons why Councilman O'Brien supports a "senior tax freeze".
The first is because it benefits him personally. That way he can selfishly push all these expensive, wasteful, big-government, social programs and let everyone else pay for them.
The second is that he (and other's in government) think it will get seniors to vote "yes" on budget referendums if they know their taxes won't be effected. Mr. O'Brein is a statistician. He and other town politicians calculated that the "senior tax freeze" will help get bloated budgets approved at referendum much easier than before (with the thin margin of probable senior "no" votes taken out of the equation).
Mr. O'Brien and his grizzled co-conspirators on the Town Council aren't "watching out for seniors", they're simply helping themselves and screwing everyone else.
A retiree's guaranteed lifetime Social Security check with an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) hardly qualifies as a "fixed income".
How about the many (non-government) workers who worry about whether or not they'll have a job or income next week, month or year? In this economy, some employers are asking their employees to work reduced hours (at reduced pay) to avoid layoffs. Even if workers keep their jobs, pay raises are not guaranteed. These workers certainly wouldn't complain about being on a guaranteed "fixed income" for the rest of their lives.
The fact of the matter is the schools do a pretty good job, and they deserve funding to keep doing it. I am all for getting the most bang for the buck, but just because the economy takes a little downturn, we should not penalize the children who attend school. Educating our children in the pubilc schools is one of the things that make the country great, and if you want to complain about taxes, start with the Federal government that spends billions and billions of dollars of your money with no accountability whatsover. PS-The plow guys do a good job.
“…if you want to complain about taxes, start with the Federal government…” That's an asinine copout. Most people in New Milford probably pay more in property taxes annually (home, car, etc.) than they pay in income taxes. The place to start saving is right here in town hall (where voters have some control over spending), not Washington DC.
if you pay more in local taxes than in federal taxes you own more than you can afford to maintain and that explains your problem-and this time see if you can respond without being rude
"... if you pay more in local taxes than in federal taxes you own more than you can afford to maintain and that explains your problem-and this time see if you can respond without being rude..."
Your smugness shows how out of touch with reality you are.
The median home price in New Milford is currently $399,000 with property taxes of $5,960 per year. Add another $440 to that for the annual property tax on two $15,000 cars and the total average property tax bill is $6,400 per year.
The average HOUSEHOLD income in New Milford for a family of 4 is currently just over $60,000 per year. After taking the standard deductions, exemptions and credits, the total taxable income is around $37,000 with a federal income tax due of less than $4,800. This family is also eligible for an additional $1,200 "stimulus" credit this year for a total federal income tax paid of $3,600.
The numbers clearly show that the average working-class family in New Milford is paying $2,800 more in taxes to the town than they are to the federal government. In fact, they're paying over 10% of their pre-tax income to the town.
Is your point that this isn't enough? If not, how much more of their incomes do you think working-class families should be paying to the town?
The average family's problem isn't that they "own more than [they] can afford to maintain" it's that they're taxed more than they can afford, and that REALLY explains their problem.
That there is even a consideration for a tax increase during these economic times is frustrating to say the least. Our homes are currently over-valued thereby giving the town money that they should not be getting. The home appraisals were done during peak times giving the town the most optimum estimates. How about taking a second look now???? Somehow I know that will not even be considered. So, then, keep the current appraisal estimates and consider that as your tax increase.
55 comments:
Cost of living: 2.33%
I agree with Bill in these economic times I think that would be the highest that could be absorbed by taxpayers. Pat
more than I would for the BOE
contractual increases +.5%
My company struggled last year and didn't give out bonuses. That amounted to a significant pay cut for me and my peers. And things aren't looking any better this year! Combine that with a skyrocketing cost of living and plummeting home prices and I'm not willing to support ANY tax increase.
Many families like mine had to prioritize spending on reduced incomes this year (due to layoffs, pay cuts, etc.). If we can survive on reduced incomes, so can the government. The town and schools both need to tighten their belts, become more efficient, cut the waste, save money and reduce taxes this year. Those elected officials who claim that government is somehow different (and can't get by on less money) are hucksters who should be thrown out of office at the first opportunity.
I'm tired of hearing how difficult it is for government to get by on their so-called "small" tax increases year after year, or how "devastating" a 7% spending increase will be, etc. Government officials who try pushing this drivel again are simply out of touch with reality. Anxious voters will not have the patience for it this year. As far as I'm concerned, my days of buying the sob stories and ignoring all the waste are over.
"I agree with Bill in these economic times I think that [2.33%] would be the highest that could be absorbed by taxpayers."
Why is there never any talk about how much spending is actually justified or needed? Just picking an arbitrary number like 2.33% out of thin air is nonsensical because it assumes the government is currently running at 100% efficiency. Does any thinking person actually believe that's the case???
I'd be very surprised if the government and schools were currently running at anything more than 60% efficiency. But even if I'm wrong and they're running at 70%, 80% or even 90% efficiency, there's still plenty of waste to be eliminated from the current town and school budgets. Unless I hear politicians start talking about reducing waste from the current budgets, I'm voting 'NO' on any tax increase.
The last comment is right on the money. No one ever bothers to examine, in a forensic sense if necessary, where there is waste. The Town just assumes that the requests are valid but extravagant. Wrong.
BOE Member Bill Wellman suggested that there should be proof to support the requested increases. After watching the videos, I saw none. Did you?
70% of YOUR taxes are for the school system...we should have 70% of their INCREASE justified! WHy an increase? They had a 2 million dollor SURPLUS last year--so why isn't their budget LESS by 1 to 1. million?! The fact that Dr Diamond would be arrogant enough to state in the paper that she (et al) will NOT look over their budget again is insulting to every taxpayer in New Milford. HOW DARE YOU think you got it right on the first and ONLY try. I guess you must be perfect.
They've never had to justify a budget before, so why start now?
It takes absolutely no time, effort or brains to rubber-stamp a % increase over last year's budget. However, it would take substantial time, effort and brains to actually review all the line items and expenditures in the budget. Most of our elected officials are unwilling to put in the time and effort, because they lack the brains to understand the budget anyway.
That's why the Town Council goes on and on about trivial matters like the cost of a couple hundred dollars worth of options on a proposed new town car, while they ignore the millions being wasted elsewhere. Go to a budget hearing, you'll be shocked by the inanity.
The Town Council is providing almost no oversight on what's being spent in New Milford... It's absolutely appalling!
2.33% (the cost of living increase in Social Security benefits) seems a bit arbitrary and low. I'd be happy with something less than last year. Or, looking at the last few years, down around 4%.
4% is more than enough.
The BOE should be out of the facilities business because either they blame that infrastructure and utilities for their cost increase or the paper misrepresents the true portion of the increase those costs are. Staff...
One assumption I'd change is counter to the efficiency argument, but actually funding the infrastructure that is failing? Or that we have the right staff in the right places to enforce the laws to prevent sprawl and preserve the safety of residents?
Efficiency is a great concept on the assembly line or making burgers, but actual thinking people are sometimes needed in the real world.
Do any of you think the cost of living went up only 2.33% in the last 12 months? Check out the basic staples you need for everyday living: gas prices, home heating oil or natural gas prices, food prices? Then, read about how the prices of so many basic comodities are sky rocketing due to the Chinese/Indian economies - it affects the prices of building roads, bridges, etc.
That 2.33% is a joke, and includes the never ending drop in technology hardware/software.
Don't be surprised if the Mayor's budget comes in over 2.33%. If it doesn't, then you know there's something "fishy" going on.
We are relying on Councilman Ray O'Brien to watch out for us seniors. He and his lovely wife Pat are on a fixed income so they understand our needs and problems. We can't afford ANY tax increase. Thank you, Ray. We're depending on you!
Ray OBrein loves senior programs and social programs. Look at the
mess he created with the senior tax freeze. The only thing you can count on is an INCREASE in spending from him.
Back to the increase, it should be no more than 2.25%. By the way it was less than 4% last year. It was closer to 2.25%.
The town is good and the schools are GREAT. As long as it's under 10% I'm all for it. I didn't get a major salary increase either but I realize the schools and educators are underfunded and do a great job.
If the schools are already GREAT, then they don't need an increase over current spending.
Budget time in New Milford is like a wish list at Christmas. Things are slipped in with the hopes that no one will realize what it actually means. So many things happen the following year that I don't believe I really ever saw in the budget.
The Town Clerks off has been remodeled at least three times since Mr Buckbee won the position but I can't remember knowing about it through the budget. Would I have accepted that item - NO! There are at least fifteen brand new small computer, flat screens etc in that office while the other offices I visited still had the large bulky, slow computers. Why has technology only landed in one office?
The Fire Marshall office has gone from one employee to the Head of Dept, Assistant, another full time person and parttime people - one secretary.
Parttime employees are brought in and I have not seem this in the budget.
Public works has summer uniforms, winter uniforms, coats, work shoes, T shirts etc. Did I see these items in the budget? The cleaning Co?
Every year we are shown amounts but I really believe we should have a history of departments - maybe in a graph form to see the total budget each year from previous years in a single look. Sometimes the amount is not what counts but the increase from previous years. It would alert us to the questions that have to be asked.
This is also true with the school budget..I want to be able to see an increase history for items even though we don't have line item review. The Town Council sees last years and this years budget item but if they had a graph where just one look of the previous ten years lets them know that the item has actually skyrocketed through the years then questions can be asked.
Total personal should also be graphed for departments. I would really like to see the School administration office in this form.
Could administration office jobs be combined or do we really need a new employee with insurance and benefits to accomplish a new job?
I really believe that the Board of Finance, Town Council and Board of Education need to know what all departments actually do. This I am positive they don't. How can they know about the budget unless they visit each office to see for themselves. Just a half hour walk through should give them ideas. Most only enter the Town Hall for meetings sfter hours.
Some head of department are great at hiding the figures while other departments have been held stagnet by ineffective head of departments.
We're talking about a "huge budget" and I'm not sure the people in charge know enough about spending and saving.
I could go on but in a long run I don't think it will make a difference.
Remember to watch the pennies because they grow into dollars..then into milllions!
I will not vote for the Education budget because they have not done the work they should have. They have been arrogant about the Mayor's request.
I believe the Town side will offer an understandable budget but it still will need to be closely looked at.
3.5%
Thanks for picking on Public Works.
Do they pave the roads?
Don't give them money?
We don't need no stinkin' roads.
I support dirt roads. Vote no to the budget.
I hate my alignment.
I support the car washes.
I like snow days. Vote no to the budget.
I hate using salt.
Plow trucks are noisy and wake me up.
"Plow trucks are noisy and wake me up."
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY GO OVER THE SAME SECTION OF ROAD 3 OR 4 TIMES IN A 15 MINUTE PERIOD...WHILE ON OVERTIME.
This is not about Public Works it's all about the budget!!
No one should be surprised when the DPW budget is cut so roads can't be paved. Why does it have to be cut? Because the BOE is out of control.
Maybe Rabbi Koch would like to make a nice big overpayment of taxes. Every year he offers to get another mortgage if that's what it takes to support the education budget. Is he feeling guilty?
What are the 2 major departments in the town side of the budget?
Public Works and Police.
What is a major cost in the town side? Debt service for the schools.
Like the mayor said, we're at a 5% increase just because of BOE before the police hit the road or Public Works does anything more.
There is something wrong with that.
The town has IT dept of one person and he is has updated many depts however being one person it goes very slowly and if they cut the budget it goes ever slower. PW Dept issues their employees safety coats and vests that are reflective. Would you want to stand in the rds without these? People drive crazy out there. Also some Union conracts have shoe allowances in them. I love it when people complain about things they no nothing about. Ask the questions first before accusing.
Town clerk most likely paid for all their updating since they take in lots of money from filing fees to copy fees. Fire Marshall office had been way behind for a long time. They always had issues in keeping up with the work load. Glad they have the staff.
PW works very hard to keep the rds safe.. No matter what the town does some people are never happy the next comment will be I can't go to work since the rds are so bad where is the Plow truck?
You cnat have it both ways either you can get to work or you can't.
I wouldnt want there long hours.. They may get paid but the sleep is NEVER recovered.
Some of you should ask questions before answering mine. Yes I agree rain gear, reflextive gear, safety boots should be available. I'm saying that the UNIFORMS they wear are supplied by a company that also cleans them. On what line did this appear?. Your asking where can we cut - start small and the larger will follow. Like TV's in the cafeteria,
Town clerks money from copies goes into the general budget. When major expenses are going to accure it should go under capital expenditures. Do you mean that the offices that don't bring in money should not be updated or updated "at a date to be announced".
I'm certainly not saying don't pave roads or sand just look closer for the hidden items
Anonymous Feb 16, 10:08am posted.
Public works has summer uniforms, winter uniforms, coats, work shoes, T shirts etc. Did I see these items in the budget?
Just to set the record straight, the only "uniform" public works gets are the vests that we wear. There is no uniform. We wear the same vests winter, summer, spring and fall. We do get a boot alotment every March, but that is in the union contract, therefore in the budget. Any other "uniforms", coats, t-shirts, etc you see were purchased by that employee, not the town. The public works side of the budget is one of the most bare bones parts of the towns budget you get. We are constantly being told there is no more money in the budget for a part to repair a vehicle, or for cement to repair a basin, etc. How often do you see the department asking for more emergency money in the winter to cover a budget overrun due to storms. The problem here is with the school budget, thats where the cuts have to be made. That is where the majority of the waste comes from. just my opinion.
posted by anonymous
"Plow trucks are noisy and wake me up."
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY GO OVER THE SAME SECTION OF ROAD 3 OR 4 TIMES IN A 15 MINUTE PERIOD...WHILE ON OVERTIME.
February 16, 2008 3:39 PM
Well if the trucks carried 24 foot wide plows, then only one pass would be necesary. If the plow trucks only made one pass down your street, you would have an 8 foot wide section plowed down your street. Most times 4 passes are necesary to open up a road curb to curb so things like your mail can be delivered and your kids picked up for school. Use a little common sense next time before posting about things you obviously know nothing about.
signed
I hope I am your plow guy.
OK, Mr. Plow guy....but is it necessary for you to double the speed limit down my road and knock down half the mailboxes, simply because the snow you're pushing flies at them too fast???
Then PW says that it's not their problem. If you did the actual speed limit, this wouldn't happen....
I can tell you that the snow removal in NM is much better than the Midwest. And it has to be better because of the hills - I can't imagine the number of accidents that would happen in this town if the plows and their crews were only as good as those in the Midwest.
Thanks, boys, as I know what a good job you do and how many accidents you prevent. Those of us who have lived elsewhere appreciate what you do.
Anonymous said...
OK, Mr. Plow guy....but is it necessary for you to double the speed limit down my road and knock down half the mailboxes, simply because the snow you're pushing flies at them too fast???
Then PW says that it's not their problem. If you did the actual speed limit, this wouldn't happen....
February 18, 2008 7:57 AM
You are not happy unless you have something to whine about are you. If your mailbox keeps getting knocked down, chances are you dont have it positioned right behind the curb line. Also, mailboxes happen, there is nothing we can do about it. If you dont put up a sturdy box and it gets knocked down by slush, well, than it is your problem, not ours. And please, double the speed limit? A little dramatic don't you think. A plow truck is large and loud when pushing snow, chances are it looks like it is moving faster tahan it actually is, but I feel like i am most likely wasting words on you. You just dont like your plow guy. You should really ask PW if you could ride along some day during a storm. See just what we have to put up with and how difficult the job is. Can you stay alert enough to power a 20 ton vehicle down the road while dodging all kinds of obstacles after not getting more than a cat nap in two days, or three, all while trying not to get snowblind by the flying snow. Having quads and snowmobiles shoot [past you without warning, or autos who have no business being out in the storm try and pass you. I could go on, but like I said, I think it is falling on deaf ears here.
PW doing the speed limit is not the problem heavy wet snow or ice that knocks peoples mailboxes down is. Not the plow hitting them. How many of you really check your posts? Lots of them are rotted and with the slight smack with the snow they drop like flys, NM should be like the state they don't replace mailboxes at all. Lots of money for mailboxes is wasted. Put up plyboard and make sure they are far back enough and you would not loose the mailbox. If its to close the gutter line you will have an issue. Also what is with people spend hundreds of dollars on a bill recepticle? I dont have that kind of money to waste on a mailbox. Pleaseee
Again you complain about your mailbox being taken down however the town replaces them or fixes them. And you can get out of your road when its a bad storm..
To get back to the budget items..I really do not believe that the public works dept does NOT buy the uniform for the maintenance and facilities people. When was the last time you went to work and everybody dressed the same because they wanted to?
How about consolidated purchasing? Buy for the best cost instead of what the depts request. You get what they buy or buy your own if you think it's not good enough. Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a case of pencils instead of 50 boxes of different kind? How about the cost of paper - just go into any building, either School or Town and these's paper all over - do you really think it's all needed? Come on can't you think of any savings?
Anonymous said...
To get back to the budget items..I really do not believe that the public works dept does NOT buy the uniform for the maintenance and facilities people. When was the last time you went to work and everybody dressed the same because they wanted to?
What you are talking about is the Facilities Maintenance dept of Public Works. Your first post did not state faciliteis maintenance, just public works. They do not "buy" the uniforms for these guys. They have a company that supplies and cleans the uniforms, a rental agreement if you will. If you look in the last budget, I am sure you will see this listed. But your initial post stated that uniforms were supplied to Public Works workers in general. Highway and facilities maint are two seperate entities within public works. Uniforms for the highway department were put into the last budget, then removed to cut the budget. The Public Works part of the town budget is not the problem, the management has always done a great job of keeping the budget as low as possible. The cuts need to come from the bloated school budget and Paddyfoot needs to revisit it and do what needs to be done to keep any increase realistic, not what she wants.
"The cuts need to come from the bloated school budget and Paddyfoot needs to revisit it and do what needs to be done to keep any increase realistic, not what she wants."
This writer is so, so right! Why do our road projects always have to suffer? Because of the "bloated" BOE budget.
The Director of Public Works is angry because he knows what needs to be done but there's always a fight to get the money to do it.
The blowhards on the Council just don't get it. They refuse to say no to anyone who can muster a few votes in the audience.
Everyone who has been commenting here should go to the Mayor's budget presentation tomorrow night. Wanna bet she comes in at just under a 5% tax increase?
Remember, the decrease in revenue accounts for a tax increase of almost 4% without considering ANY increase in the Town or School budgets.
Jobs are on the line.
... And that's what government's all about - a cushy jobs creation program!
What just slays me is the number of things the "taxpayers" want for "their" dollar.[.30 for town services-.70 for the BOE] Every little thing gets a phone call to some department in the government for the government to fix. Neighbors won't talk to neighbors, residents won't clear snow in front of their mailboxes with a shovel, nor help their neighbor either. Calls flood PW over the littlest thing that I bet your parents wouldn't have bothered with but gone out and fixed thenselves in the years gone past. Most adults of the 50's would die before letting the government bail them out--they had pride in their houses, themselves--not whining that the "plowdriver drove past my house 4 times and woke me up" No thanks, for clearing the roads so I can get to work, you were up all night, but if PW just starting plowing at the normal time I bet you would be the first on the phone to complain--I can't get to work. No one wants to shovel the end of their driveway, call and complain. No responsibility anymore, let the government fix everything and then cry when you have to "pay" with high taxes. Residents, you can't have it BOTH ways. Stop calling the government to fix every little thing that by rights should belong to the homeowner, and you might find dollars to fix the roads.Homeowners with private problems wanting the government to fix--drainage, zoning the list goes on. The same with the school budget--if parents took responsibility and taught their kids to respect school and not expect the teachers to do everything the budget might not be so bloated.
Help your neighbor, stop calling over every little pothole, drive the speed limit, slow down and things will be better in this town! The villianization of government workers is depressing, most of the employees that I have encountered try very hard to satisfy the residents, but most residents just want to complain, they don't want a solution.
Good for you! I don't work for the Town but you are right that people will not assume responsibility for ANYTHING.
I don't want to start a union discussion here but I'm sure that there are people at DPW who should have been fired a long time ago and would have been except the union came to their rescue. It's pretty bad when a guy is a safety hazard, no one wants to work with him and yet the union protects him. What about the guy that sings and went to Parks and Rec? But most are decent, hard-working people, no doubt.
You are very right about people calling and moaning. I want this. I want that. Buddy, pick up a damn shovel!
Remember Ann Stone? DPW had to straighten out a sight line and the Town wound up doing all sorts of private work for her when she moaned and groaned. New lamposts, new driveway curtain. New stone work. Pat Hackett caved in to her like a cheap tent and promised all this expensive and unnecessary work.
Mailboxes? We shouldn't pay to replace them if they aren't in the right place.
Quick FYI-Pat Hackett didn't agree to anything with Ann Stone. That was Mayor Gambino (gee she is in the Garden Club...)HE signed the agreement. But you are correct that she asked for way more than she really deserved and let the Town of New Milford cover the costs...she should have been happy with PW fixing the road, but nooo she wanted more and Gambino gave it to his buddy.
Thank you for that. Yep, sounds like Gambino. The worst 2 years in New Milford history.
I worked for PW when gambino and Hackett were around. I remember having to go cut up a tree that fell on her property that was 20 feet off the road edge and fell into her property. She blamed it on the road work and we had to clean it up. Glad things like that dont happen anymore.
It seems like a lot of those "private jobs" disappeared after Gambino and Hackett left.
Didn't he design ponds or something for Gambino?
I think this went way off topic about what is shown in the budget and what isn't.
Uniforms, safety equipment etc. hardly sound out of line.
Paper??? Not everyone has a computer, but at least the town government now has computers. Now that I'm thinking about it who authorized printers!!! Those bastards. Snuck it through. Why wasn't it a referendum?
Plow drivers - can't live with them, kids would be in school until July without them. Keep driving your SUV and hope for global warming.
The state takes in $700 million in gas taxes and gives $30 million in road aid to the 169 towns. This was in the Rep-am today.
Hmmm...
We have a choice if the town budget is voted down, would you like to see it increased or decreased?
If the BOE budget is voted down, would you like to see it increased or decreased?
Town up, BOE down.
No more than 4%
He with the highest taxes loses. It is a contest. Low taxes = growth. High taxes(or high spending) = stagnation/recession/depression...
I do not want NM to be Waterbury or Bridgeport.
"...We are relying on Councilman Ray O'Brien to watch out for us seniors. He and his lovely wife Pat are on a fixed income so they understand our needs and problems..."
Mr. O'Brein is watching out for himself and if other's happen to benefit, then it's purely coincidental.
Mr. O'Brein's senior programs and social programs waste a lot of money. He is no friend of the taxpayer, be they senior citizens or anyone else. If he and other councilmen believe senior's taxes are too high, how can they not conclude that everyone's taxes are too high? Their support of the "senior tax freeze" is political class warfare pure and simple.
There are two main reasons why Councilman O'Brien supports a "senior tax freeze".
The first is because it benefits him personally. That way he can selfishly push all these expensive, wasteful, big-government, social programs and let everyone else pay for them.
The second is that he (and other's in government) think it will get seniors to vote "yes" on budget referendums if they know their taxes won't be effected. Mr. O'Brein is a statistician. He and other town politicians calculated that the "senior tax freeze" will help get bloated budgets approved at referendum much easier than before (with the thin margin of probable senior "no" votes taken out of the equation).
Mr. O'Brien and his grizzled co-conspirators on the Town Council aren't "watching out for seniors", they're simply helping themselves and screwing everyone else.
What is a "fixed income" anyway?
A retiree's guaranteed lifetime Social Security check with an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) hardly qualifies as a "fixed income".
How about the many (non-government) workers who worry about whether or not they'll have a job or income next week, month or year? In this economy, some employers are asking their employees to work reduced hours (at reduced pay) to avoid layoffs. Even if workers keep their jobs, pay raises are not guaranteed. These workers certainly wouldn't complain about being on a guaranteed "fixed income" for the rest of their lives.
The fact of the matter is the schools do a pretty good job, and they deserve funding to keep doing it. I am all for getting the most bang for the buck, but just because the economy takes a little downturn, we should not penalize the children who attend school. Educating our children in the pubilc schools is one of the things that make the country great, and if you want to complain about taxes, start with the Federal government that spends billions and billions of dollars of your money with no accountability whatsover.
PS-The plow guys do a good job.
“…if you want to complain about taxes, start with the Federal government…” That's an asinine copout. Most people in New Milford probably pay more in property taxes annually (home, car, etc.) than they pay in income taxes. The place to start saving is right here in town hall (where voters have some control over spending), not Washington DC.
if you pay more in local taxes than in federal taxes you own more than you can afford to maintain and that explains your problem-and this time see if you can respond without being rude
asinine
adj. - extremely or utterly foolish
It is not a bad word.
"... if you pay more in local taxes than in federal taxes you own more than you can afford to maintain and that explains your problem-and this time see if you can respond without being rude..."
Your smugness shows how out of touch with reality you are.
The median home price in New Milford is currently $399,000 with property taxes of $5,960 per year. Add another $440 to that for the annual property tax on two $15,000 cars and the total average property tax bill is $6,400 per year.
The average HOUSEHOLD income in New Milford for a family of 4 is currently just over $60,000 per year. After taking the standard deductions, exemptions and credits, the total taxable income is around $37,000 with a federal income tax due of less than $4,800. This family is also eligible for an additional $1,200 "stimulus" credit this year for a total federal income tax paid of $3,600.
The numbers clearly show that the average working-class family in New Milford is paying $2,800 more in taxes to the town than they are to the federal government. In fact, they're paying over 10% of their pre-tax income to the town.
Is your point that this isn't enough? If not, how much more of their incomes do you think working-class families should be paying to the town?
The average family's problem isn't that they "own more than [they] can afford to maintain" it's that they're taxed more than they can afford, and that REALLY explains their problem.
One more point regarding Mr. O'Brien: at this point in time, haven't most long-time seniors paid their dues to the BOE?
Federal vs. local taxes....all the more reason for a flat tax.
No, at this point in time, everyone, not just "long-time seniors", has paid their dues to the BOE...
That there is even a consideration for a tax increase during these economic times is frustrating to say the least. Our homes are currently over-valued thereby giving the town money that they should not be getting. The home appraisals were done during peak times giving the town the most optimum estimates. How about taking a second look now???? Somehow I know that will not even be considered. So, then, keep the current appraisal estimates and consider that as your tax increase.
Susanna
Towns are required to do revaluations of real estate every five years.
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