2006 Budget
Remaining shortfall will be filled with surplus
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

During the final Amherst Town Board meeting of 2006, Comptroller Frank Belliotti reported that surplus money will be used to make up the $3 million budget shortfall.

The board passed a resolution instructing department heads and Belliotti to use all unspent balances toward the payment of health insurance and utilities — the cause of the shortfall.

With a $1 million savings in bonds and the evening out of utility costs, the town had some relief before using the surpluses.

“We will be short approximately $1 million. I won’t be sure until we close the books, and we are still buying,” Belliotti said.

Any remaining shortfall will be corrected by using the surpluses, which the town is in good standing to do, he added.

The only unknown factor remaining is the cost of the Oct. 12 storm. Belliotti said the town will not know its portion of the costs until the Federal Emergency Management Agency decides what it will pay for.

“We are confident that what we submitted is definitely storm-related for public safety overtime, highway overtime, sheltering at the senior center, (and) increased refuse costs,” he said, adding that the “budget note” of $7.5 million will help the town manage spending while FEMA reviews the report. Belliotti said the problems with

health insurance have been fixed for 2007, and utility funding was also addressed. The 2006 budget was $107.79 million when adopted in November 2005.

The board passed a new policy during Monday’s meeting that would require all purchase orders to be approved by the comptroller before the item is bought. This is an attempt to track spending throughout the year.

In other matters:

• The extension of the moratorium for Gramercy Park was approved for an additional two months to Feb. 28. Council Member Shelly Schratz urged the board to move forward either with purchasing the property or dropping the hold on development.

 Two issues of sidewalk safety were brought to the board’s attention by residents. Peter Burke, a

student at South High School, said the lack of sidewalks on Hopkins Road causes a hazard for pedestrians who walk the road every day to work and school. Also, Waterford Park was highlighted by a resident who said the bus stop was unsafe for children due to the lack of sidewalks, forcing children to share the narrow road with vehicles.

 Two police officer positions were approved by the Town Board. Assistant Chief John Askey said that would bring the force to 151, with three additional positions budgeted for 2007.

 An increase of fees was approved for the Family Room, from $90 to $100 for a resident and from $125 to $135 for a nonresident. The rental fee for a two-hour birthday party also increased to $75 for a resident and $100 for a nonresident. The changes are effective Jan. 1.