Board amends museum, library funding
Mohan's department gets 51 percent increase
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Jane Cox of Snyder addresses Amherst Town Board members concerning the proposed 2007 budget at the hearing held Monday night at the Amherst Municipal Building. Photo by Albert T. McCracken Jr.

Monday's public hearing on the 2007 tentative $110 million budget drew 29 speakers during the course of two hours.

Comments on two of the line items - the Amherst Museum and Williamsville Library - proved affective as the Town Board voted to restore some of their funding.

The board agreed to put $65,000 in the budget for the Williamsville Library, with the guidelines that a funding plan be put in place for 2008.

"I will support (the funding) one more time ... We will write to them and tell them this will be the last time," Supervisor Satish Mohan said about granting funding to the Williamsville Library.

He said no funding had been included in his budget because a resolution was passed for 2006 that the $91,000 was a one-time gift to help the library after Erie County ceased funding.

"The 2006 budget had indicated very clearly, there was no doubt about it, that it was one-time, the $91,000," he said.

Deputy Supervisor Deborah Bruch Bucki, who sponsored the resolution to fund $65,000, said it was important to help the library this year, but the funding plan will have to be submitted by March 2007.

"All the departments wish to be fully restored, so I think $65,000 is fair, moderate and reasonable," Bucki said.

Library Director Mary Bobinski had requested $100,000 in funding for 2007.

Jean Stadelman, chairman of Save Our Williamsville Library, and her 8-year-old son, Peter, both spoke at the meeting and were thrilled with the outcome.

"I want to thank the board for their continued commitment to the children and this community. Without this money the library would be closed," Stadelman said.

Also receiving some of its requested funding was the Amherst Museum. The board passed a resolution that would amend the budget to reflect a $160,000 increase for the museum.

Supporters of the museum said without adequate funding not only would programming be affected, but supplies, utilities and positions would be underfunded.

The resolution called for $250,000 to be used from the contingency budget but was amended to $160,000. Bucki said she was sure the $90,000 could be helpful in funding another department.

While two departments are expected to receive an increase in funding - to become final on Nov. 20 with an adoption of the budget - others who commented are still awaiting answers.

Former council member Bob Brewer questioned why the supervisor's budget had increased 51 percent from the current year. The $317,892 spending proposal is up from $209,884 in 2006.

"Campaign promises were made for a 10 percent decrease in overall costs," Brewer said. "In the budget, time for reality, it really doesn't come anywhere close."

He added that Mohan also promised no layoffs and no reduction in services.

Board members do not respond during public hearings, and a call to Mohan was not returned about those questions.

Brewer also addressed the question of 50 percent cuts to overtime and Mohan's statement that approved overtime would be funded through the contingency budget.

He said Mohan took from department heads the authority to approve overtime and gave himself the power.

"You took that away from department heads who have years and years of experience, and you have less than a year worth of experience," Brewer said to Mohan. "I would much rather have overtime allocated by the department heads."

As stated by many who spoke, Brewer said he would rather maintain a quality level of services with an increase in taxes than lose services for a small decrease.

Jane Cox of Snyder spoke about being left in the dark about budget spending.

"Where is the money going? There was no information on the impact of services to the taxpayers," she said.

With assessments increased in Snyder, she said those residents will be paying more taxes, and she wants what she pays for.

"All services (should be) preserved, and no town employee should lose their job," she said.

Not only were residents sounding off about the proposed budget, union representatives spoke on protecting jobs within the contracts.

Thomas Finger, labor relations specialist for CSEA Region 6, said he would be watching the Town Board closely for procedure rules if the proposed cuts to the Planning Department go through.

Nick Polino of the CSEA spoke on his opposition to cutting jobs.

"If you take (someone's) job away you might as well kill them," he said in frustration, adding that loss of a job means taking someone's livelihood away.

Darlene Carroll of the comptroller's office reported that the budget had a 2.11 percent increase from 2006 for a total of $110.1 million. Depending on the different districts and assessments, residents will either see a 1 to 2 percent increase or decrease on their tax bills.

Assessed properties increased 4 percent, with $106 million from new properties.

The Town Board is allowed to make amendments until the final vote which is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20. The public hearing had originally been scheduled for Oct. 16, but due to the effects of the storm it was rescheduled to Monday.