Village of Bloomfield April 2006 Newsletter
VILLAGE BUDGET
The village budget was a challenge to put together again this year. Health insurance costs increased, general insurance increased slightly. Retirement benefits have leveled off at about 8%. Wage increases are at 3%. The board has attempted to keep the tax rate down for years and this budget calls for the use of $100,000 of the $212,000 in surplus funds to do so. The surplus funds are for the most part depleted therefore it is necessary to raise taxes and fees. The major project this year is the improvement of Park Place. This year the budget officer recommends an increase of 15 cents per thousand on the tax rate. This will cost the home owner who owns a $100,000 home an extra $15 in their taxes. Another factor that is affecting the budget this year is the fact that the village taxable assessment rate for this budget went DOWN. This is due to the substantial increase in exemptions within the last year. Just a reminder that the village is the last municipal agency to use THE OLD (2005) assessment values.
BUDGET HEARING
The Village Board of Trustees will hold the annual budget hearing on Monday, April 3rd at 7PM at the village office at 12 Main Street. The budget must be passed by the village board by May 1st. The budget may be viewed at the village office during regular business hours. Following the budget hearing the village will conduct the annual organizational meeting. A public hearing of Local Law #2 regarding storing of covered cars outside, and a public hearing on the annual update of the comprehensive plan. The monthly village board meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the village office.
COMMUNITY QUESTIONNAIRE
The town and the village are in the process of updating the Community Comprehensive Plan and the writing of our Community Recreation Plan. Shortly there will be a questionnaire that we are asking every community member to complete. The questionnaire for both plans will be distributed and collected by the local Boy Scouts as there community service project. To also help the scouts in their fund raising efforts they will be also be collecting bottles and cans. Please complete the questionnaire and contribute to the Boy Scouts. If you would prefer the questionnaires could also be returned to the village or town offices.
WATER AND SEWER
The general budget concerns also appear in the water and sewer budgets. Due to the increase in costs there is a proposal to increase the water rate 10 cents from $1.80 to $1.90 per thousand. This will cause in increase to the average household of about $10 per year. The amount of water usage is also decreasing in the village. This may be due to the meters being old and in need of replacement. A proposal to purchase new meters is in the budget. This would give accurate meter readings which would stabilize our water and sewer rates and have everyone pay their fair share for water and sewer. The same applies to the sewer budget. There is a planned increase in sewer rates of $2.00 per month or an annual increase of $24 raising about $16,000 for the sewer fund. .
SUMMER HELP WANTED
The village hires students for employment each summer at an hourly rate of $7.50. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact Al Ingalls at 657-7319 for an application.
LISTEN-IN
The mayor is scheduling his quarterly listen-in for April 22nd from 9 to 10 AM at the village office, 12 Main Street.
BRUSH REMOVAL
The semi-annual brush removal program is scheduled for Monday, May 15th. Please keep the brush away from trees and poles. Place the
brush parallel to the curb so the backhoe is able to grab the brush easily. For further information contact the DPW at 657-7319.
CARS
There are an ever increasing number of unlicensed, unregistered, and un-inspected cars that are being stored outside. It is a violation of the zoning law to have these cars outside. Please remove these vehicles or place them in your garage. The code enforcement officer will be enforcing this violation this spring.
according to manufactures directions. Many communities are restricting the use of these chemicals. We believe our residents will use these chemicals wisely. Also be careful with gasoline and do not spill any on the ground. We live above our supply of water and must do more than our best to protect the water that we drink.
MAILBOX POLICY
The DPW along with the post office has obtained information regarding the installation of mailboxes along village streets. The board has established a policy for the erection of these mailboxes. If you are going to erect a new mailbox or have question about your existing mailbox please contact the DPW at 657-7319.
RELEVY OF TAXES
In April any uncollected water and sewer rents are relevied onto the village tax bills that arrive in June. This relevy amount is not tax deductible. There is also a hefty penalty for late payment. Consider paying your bills in a timely manner.
WOLCDC
The West Ontario Local Community Development Corporation (WOLCDC) that is sponsored by the Towns of Bristol, East and West Bloomfield has initiated a new Microenterprise interest free Loan Program for small businesses to get started or grow within west Ontario County. At present up to $4,000 is available for up to 2 years. If you are interested visit their new office at the Bloomfield Professional Building in back of 3 East Main Street or pick up information at the village office at 12 Main St. The CDC has also written letters to drug store companies to see if the companies are interested in establishing a store in Bloomfield. As of this writing there has been no interest yet.
BLOOMFIELD CO-OPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL
The Nursery School is accepting registrations for ’06-’07 school year for the 3 year old and the 4-5 year old class. A child is eligible if they turn 3 by December 1, 2006. For further information call 657-6973.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The village of Bloomfield is an equal opportunity employer without regard to sex, age, or color. The Village of Bloomfield is an equal national origin or handicap.
WEBSITE
Have you visited the village website lately? It has been established for a number of years and we have been receiving many positive comments about its information. Recently the board has decided to expand the site with more information about the village and its reports. Please visit www.bloomfieldny.org for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 5th Legion Spaghetti May 5th & 6th Bloomfield Library Annual Book & Bake Sale May 10th Legion Spaghetti May 21st Rotary Wine Tasting Party at Bristol Mt. May 20th Garden Club Plant Sale May TBA Fire Dept. Spring Barbeque June 27th Rotary Concert in Elton Park featuring “Precious Few”
PROTECTING OUR WATERSHED
The village is encouraging our residents to protect the water that we drink by using pesticides and other chemicals sparingly and