Town Board rejects tax cap proposal
Democrats, Walsh vote against plan supervisor questions as 'gimmick'
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A proposal setting a public hearing on a referendum to cap Brookhaven Town's tax rate at 4 percent sparked some debate before it was voted down by a majority of Town Board members Tuesday. The cap would have prohibited any increase above 4 percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is greater, according to 6th District Councilman Keith Romaine. Mr. Romaine said he came up with the proposal after researching other municipalities, who had success with the measure.
"Every day I hear from residents who are struggling to pay their property tax bills and cope with the high cost of living during this economic downturn," Mr. Romaine said. "The typical conversation is usually, 'if my family has to live within its means, why can't government?' In tough times, I have to cut back, why can't the government?"
But Supervisor Mark Lesko questioned that a tax cap was the way to go, considering that both Suffolk County and Southampton Town are in the process of repealing similar measures.
"Is this just a gimmick?" he asked. "Or are you trying to protect yourself against yourself?"
The measure was voted down by Mr. Lesko and fellow Democrats Connie Kepert and Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld, as well as Republican Councilwoman and Deputy Supervisor Kathy Walsh.
* St. Michael's Community Center in Gordon Heights will soon be a little easier for residents to travel to on foot or by bicycle. New sidewalks and curbing will be installed before the end of the year between Carr Lane and Route 25 on Wilson Avenue, where the center is located. The curbing will make it safer for members of the community, according to 4th District Councilwoman Connie Kepert, who spearheaded the sidewalk effort. The measure will be funded by $300,000 that was transferred from other completed Community Block Grant projects as part of a budget modification at Tuesday's meeting.
* The Town Board also approved waiving daily fees for children under 15 and senior citizens 60 years and older at both the Centereach and Holtsville pools during the month of August. The measure is expected to cost the town about $19,000 based on last year's revenues. Given the economic climate, in which many families have opted not to travel for vacation, officials said, waiving the fees might provide a more affordable way for residents to cool off for the remainder of the summer. For more information about pool hours or fees, you can log onto www.brookhaven.org/parks or call 451-TOWN.
* The town broke ground last week on a new Parks and Recreation administrative building to be constructed using green building strategies. The 12,000-square-foot building will be situated at the Centereach pool and will replace the parks department's dilapidated building in Coram. The estimated $5.5 million building will take between 10 and 12 months to complete and will meet Leadership Energy Environmental Design standards. According to town officials, the project has been submitted for application for stimulus funding because of the "green building" strategies it employs.
Some of the "green building" strategies that will be employed in the project include solar photovoltaic systems, energy-efficient light fixtures, high-efficiency windows and clerestory windows with large exterior overhangs. Structurally insulated panels, consisting of rigid foam insulation in between two panels of oriented strand board, will also be used in the construction. The building will have engineered wood trusses and use recycled materials for the rest room partitions and floor coverings. Materials, paints and finishes that create less toxic fumes will be used. Other green strategies to be incorporated at the site include building orientation, use of native/noninvasive vegetation, reduced site disturbance, erosion control and light-pollution reduction.
* Board members also unveiled this week the town's first monument dedicated to the global war on terrorism across from the entrance to Town Hall. The memorial, which consists of a four-by-24-foot wall, commemorates the seven members of Brookhaven's community who have lost their lives during the global war on terrorism. The memorial features granite plaques surrounded by plantings.
peggy@northshoresun.com
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