Town's AIDA records lacking information
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

When Amherst Town Board Member Guy Marlette asked for information on the Amherst Industrial Development Agency's PILOT Program and couldn't receive it, he decided it was time for changes.

He presented a resolution at Monday's Town Board meeting to develop a new plan, and it was unanimously approved.

According to Marlette's resolution, the AIDA has more than 170 properties that are receiving tax abatements and have entered into a Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, or PILOT.

More exact information, such as the number in the program, identities of the properties and the exact dollar amount payable to the town, were not immediately available from the Finance Department.

"I think it had been that the IDA would keep the records and send a check to the town, but I think both sides should know, it's good accountability," Marlette said. "There is no way we can say if the information is correct or incorrect."

Marlette said the town has been receiving millions per year from the AIDA for PILOT payments.

His resolution directs Comptroller Darlene Carroll to work with the AIDA and the Assessor's Office to develop a program so that such information is available upon request.

The resolution set May 1 as the deadline to have the program in place. The program will track the number of years properties are in the program and with the present year/percentage of assessed value the PILOT is currently in, and verify the correct assessed value. It also directs the Finance Department to forecast the forthcoming payments and appropriately budget for them.

Also included is an audit the past two years of the PILOT payments, due by June 1.

Deputy Supervisor Shelly Schratz said the resolution was a long time coming. She said she had sponsored a similar motion years ago and doesn't recall receiving a second for discussion.

"I was upset with this years ago, I applaud your effort," she said.

Council Member Mark Manna said he was surprised that the money wasn't tracked by the town, and the departments should have an eye on every penny.

"It should be a simple system of checks and balances," he said.

During Monday's meeting, Carroll told the board she had already set one meeting to understand how the process was supposed to work and identify areas that don't.

AIDA's director of administrative services, Laure Manuszewski, said she thinks the resolution was a good idea for the town.

"I don't think we have a problem. It will be good to have an actual policy and procedure in place," she said, adding that the current operation is how it has been done for years.

The AIDA has been sending a schedule, with the amount owed, list of properties and invoices each year.

When the PILOT Program started, the town received $170,000, and this past year the figure was $1.3 million.

In other board news:

• Ten residents were named to the Board of Assessment Review, including Thomas Alderson, Eugene "Chip" Russ, Anthony L. Lopes, Ronald G. Nowak, Terri Campbell, Kim Addelman, Lokesh C. Rastogi, Barbara Batchen, Kathleen Flemming and Frank S. Pasztor. Patrick Lester was named a permanent member of the Board of Assessment Review for a term ending in September 2012.

Nowak had made a presentation to the board in fall 2007, addressing concerns he had with the Assessor's Office. He also brought the PILOT Program issue to Marlette's attention.

• Schratz requested travel funds to attend the New York State Association of Towns Conference in New York City at a total amount of $1,503. During the discussion, Schratz apologized to Senior Services Executive Director Mary Ellen Walsh for how she spoke to Walsh at the Jan. 22 meeting when Walsh requested travel funds. Schratz said she was ashamed of her actions. Walsh had been scrutinized about the request.

• The board approved Ward's resolution to freeze the wages and salaries of all Town of Amherst elected officials in 2009. It was seen by the board as a first step in its effort to freeze the town's budget.

• During the public hearing on proposed zoning ordinance technical amendments to the zoning code, town resident Bob Collins addressed the board on CF-Community Facilities zoning. He suggested it be broken into two zonings, one with buildings, such as a library, and one for open space, such as parks.

Planning Director Rick Gillert said the department had been drafting a new zoning designation, CO-Conservation, that will be presented later in the year.

• Under the comptroller's report, $10,000 was reported as paid for by Benderson Development Co. for a traffic study on Maple Road. A consultant had been hired but not named at the meeting.

• The next Town Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25 at Town Hall, 5583 Main St.