Services threatened by proposed budget
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Understanding the 2007 Town of Amherst budget takes a lot of time, but residents have only a few more days to prepare for the public hearing.

Following Supervisor Satish Mohan's release of his tentative budget, many departments, residents and civic groups have voiced their opposition to cuts made to the $109.8 million spending plan.

They will have the opportunity to state those complaints during the public hearing, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16 at Town Hall, 5583 Main St.

Having reviewed the budget for the past 10 days, Council Member William A. O'Loughlin Jr. said major issues still aren't being addressed.

"We have made no attempt to really (concentrate on) major things that let us make government leaner and more efficient," he said. "No one is tackling the real major issues in government."

A key issue that he said should have already been addressed involves highway and police contracts.

"Why aren't the highway and police unions' contracts negotiated and finalized?" he said.

He said the biggest issue in the 2007 budget is the Police Department, and a major incident will fall on Mohan's hands.

"Money needs to be restored for officers," he said.

He is also suggesting the highway and engineering departments be combined, adding that the two basically deal with the same issues.

Disappointed with the 2007 tentative budget, O'Loughlin said nothing was done to save taxpayers money.

Preparing for the public hearing may be difficult for residents. According to O'Loughlin, the layout of the budget is "nothing but financial spaghetti.

"The format is a disgrace," he said. "It is a format I got rid of last year ... and for whatever reason, it's back to the old method."

With no index, finding specific department funding is difficult, he said.

However, department heads are well aware of how the tentative budget would affect them.

Police

Upon reviewing his section of the 2007 plan, Chief John Moslow has found four major items that he will be discussing with the supervisor and also with the Town Board at a meeting on Thursday.

The tentative budget includes a staffing number of 149. Moslow said he would like to be at full staffing - 154 officers. In 1994 the Town Board moved to increase to 151 officers, and in 2005 the board approved the increase to 154.

Moslow is also concerned about the proposed cut to overtime. With a request for $400,000, Moslow said the budget includes only $100,000. He expects the department will spend $100,000 in overtime in the first quarter of 2007.

"I want the overtime reinstated. If the $100,000 stands, there will be no discretionary details whatsoever," he said, noting that would affect investigations and basic law enforcement details.

The Police Department budget was also cut $600,000 in personnel costs that must be paid according to the contract between the town and police employees, Moslow said.

Another major impact in the 2007 budget is funding for crossing guards. Moslow said the current funding would reduce the crossing guard staff by four.

The chief said he will continue to review the budget and address his concerns with the supervisor and the Town Board.

Youth

Amherst Youth Board Executive Director Joseph Bachovchin said funding to his department was reduced by $64,282.

"Those cuts will result in reductions in service - exactly how is where the citizens board comes in," Bachovchin said.

The board has a meeting on Oct. 11 when the budget will be discussed. Bachovchin said fee increases will most likely be on the agenda.

Having just increased fees in January, he said the board prefers to raise costs every two years, if possible, instead of each year.

Included in the Youth Department budget is $100,000 for the Eggertsville Community Center that does not pertain to the rest of the budget.

Recreation

Anne Schiferle, director of the Town of Amherst Recreation Department, said reductions were made throughout her department but the impact is unknown at this time.

The Recreation Department oversees the Pepsi Center, golf courses and recreation complex.

"I feel that programming and service-wise we did well," she said. "I think this budget is workable. Sure there were areas of reduction, but I haven't itemized what the impact will be."

The question of increasing fees is something Schiferle said she

hopes won't have to be addressed in 2007. Program fee increases were imposed this past year.

Library

The $100,000 budgeted for the Williamsville Library by the Town of Amherst in 2006 has been cut to zero for 2007. Amherst Public Library Director Mary F. Bobinski said the library has served thousands of people through programming, circulation of materials and meeting space.

"In spite of a reduced request for Williamsville Library due to funding from other sources, no funds were allocated for this purpose in the supervisor's town budget for 2007," she said. "We know that this a difficult period, but we also know that our elected officials manage to fund millions for various projects."

In other budget lines: the supervisor's portion of the budget increased $108,008 from 2006, including $50,000 in contingency, money that can be spent without Town Board approval.