Four members of board adopt 'mystery budget'
Bee Editorial
The Amherst Town Board should not have adopted the budget on Monday. They didn't know what they were voting on, and this year they had time to wait and find out.

Last year they ran out of time. It was a complete mess of yelling, shouting out amendments and calling for the last-second vote, only to see the clock strike midnight. It was a very low point, even for this vocal Town Board.

This year, they had 21 days before it had to be adopted, according to New York State law, but they really don't know what they voted on. Council members Dan Ward, Deborah Bruch Bucki and Shelly Schratz voted no. A 4-3 vote on a $115 million, more or less, budget can't leave a taxpayer with a good feeling. In reality, the vote never should have been called.

After nearly five hours of resolutions, amendments and extremely long discussions, the board members completed their reports, and Supervisor Satish Mohan called for the vote. No one knew exactly how the budget would affect taxes or spending. Comptroller Frank Belliotti had an estimate, but he didn't have any hard figures.

It wasn't too long ago that Mohan led an intense review of the 2006 budget, claiming a shortage. During one conversation he told The Amherst Bee that if the budget was over by even a penny it would be too much. So for this penny pincher to vote on an unknown budget is poor leadership.

The real bottom line is that the board should have waited for the Monday, Nov. 5 meeting to vote on the budget. The comptroller could have compiled all the changes and submitted a final budget, with the total expenditures, tax levy and fund balances. The board should have then reviewed the final budget and taken the vote during the regular board meeting.

The board members who voted yes do not know what they voted on - Bill Kindel had an estimate, but we doubt he would have guaranteed anything. One of those who voted yes said he voted because he had been assured by Mohan and Belliotti that taxes would not increase. Unfortunately, Mohan has proved he isn't always right.

We can't see a single good reason why taking the vote on Monday was necessary. Whether the board had an inkling they hadn't raised the preliminary budget total, or had a good feeling it wouldn't raise taxes, those are just other ways to say they voted blindly.

True, all the resolutions passed, but what if they don't add up as expected? Well, the town is now stuck with that number. Too late, then too early - better luck with the 2009 budget.