LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - DECEMBER 23, 2018 by Stephen Barbeau Supervisor, Town of LeRoy (585) 768-6190 ext. 231 We have received some engineering estimates for var- ious water district proposals in the northeast portion of town in conjunction with Phase Two of the County’s water devel- opment program. The Board is reviewing these options and we will be inviting the residents of these areas to an information meeting after the first of the year. We will send letters out making sure all are aware when we get things set up. The Woodward Memorial Library has also established a free mini-library in the lobby of the Town Hall. There are both books for adults and children. Help yourself and pass along to others (or return) as you like. As promised, I want to up- date you on the status of the am- bulance (district). From the last public hearing several weeks ago, there were three major questions/areas to research that had not been addressed previ- ously. The first was how a tax district would work (could it vary by local decision?). Ac- cording to legal opinion and NYS assessment opinion, the only way to tax for an ambu- lance district is ad velorum (that is, through assessed value of eligible property). It is NOT permissible to tax on a unit ba- sis (i.e., residence or business). Property in an agriculture dis- trict would be exempt, but all other property would be includ- ed in assessed value. By law, residents in such a tax district must be given a “break” when using the service (i.e., ambu- lance bill). Therefore, using the maximum break scenario (NO out-of-pocket co-pay costs for use of LeRoy Ambulance), the estimated tax rate would be .48 per thousand assessed value. If the district were created, the boards could adopt a lower tax rate with a less than full 100% co-pay exemption (e.g., a .35 tax rate with a $100 CREDIT toward any co-pay). After the first year, the tax levy cap would be in effect, just as it is with the town and village budgets. An oversight board must be created by the municipalities to monitor the new district operations. Second, as the major reason for discussing an am- bulance district seemed to be nonpayment of ambulance bills, leading to large deficits, could these unpaid bills be referred to the County DAOffice for prose- cution? According to legal opin- ion, prosecution of such would require clear intent not to pay at the time service is rendered, and not just money mismanagement or financial woes. It is unlikely the ambulance crew would re- ceive such an indication upon response to a patient in distress. The analogy given was nonpay- ment of a credit card bill. There is no DA prosecution for that either. As ambulance service is also covered under protected health insurance (HIPPA), it is unlikely that the publishing on names in arrears (such as done for nonpayment of taxes) is per- missible either. Finally, again per legal opinion, once an ambulance dis- trict is created it is not a forever deal. A process of dissolution can be initiated by the respec- tive board members or by resi- dents petitioning the respective boards to consider such. Therefore, given all the data from meetings, the infor- mal vote, legal consult, etc., the Town Board approved the creation of a new ambulance tax district by a majority vote. However, there were two con- ditions attached to that resolu- tion. First, the Village Board must also pass a local law join- ing the district by July 1, 2019. Second, the 2019 ambulance district tax rate may not exceed .48 per thousand (as presented to the residents in all the pub- lic meetings). Once the Village makes its determination, we will inform you of how LAS is to proceed. Thanks to all who asked questions, voiced their opinions, and commented on this very important issue in a very appropriate manner. I also, on behalf of the en- tire board, want to say farewell and best wishes to long-time councilman Tom Stella. LeRoy was fortunate to have had such a dedicated public servant for over a decade. I also wanted to make a per- sonal note with the recent pass- ing of President George H.W. Bush. I had the great fortune to have met him twice. Once was in the mid-1980s, when he was Vice President, at a Boy Scout Dinner at GCC. He gave a great speech on the importance of service to others and the values espoused by scouts. The sec- ond time was in the late-1990s, when he was out of office, at Geneseo State College. There, I had the opportunity to speak with him directly and he signed an autobiography I had of him. The word that jumps out for me, one that I have found hard to ap- ply the last couple of decades, is statesman. He was the last (at least as President) of the “Great- est Generation”. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and have a safe/healthy 2019! See you at First Night and Around Town. New Homes • Additions • Garages • Pole Barns CUSTOM CARPENTRY LLC. Todd Carli • Phone 703-0964 Todd's Decks • Windows • Doors Kitchens • Baths Ceramic Tile Basement Finishing Custom Shelves/Built-Ins Siding • Remodeling Roofing • Snow Plowing FULLY INSURED tfn Around Town Clip and Save Clip and Save ATTENTION Residents of LeRoy who are customers of Waste Management Please take NOTICE that due to the Holiday (December, 25th), collection of all residential trash and recycling will be delayed one day starting December 26th and through the remainder of the week. Have a Safe and Enjoyable Holiday. God Bless America and God Bless Our Military Veterans.