Village to bust tax cap?

The Village of Lawrence will hold a public hearing at its March 12 meeting on the  possibility of approving a local law that would permit the trustees to pierce the mandated state tax cap of 2.1 percent.  

It is the first time since the tax cap was applied to municipal budgets in 2012 that Lawrence has considered authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the state limit. The board members unanimously (5-0) approved the resolution to hold the public hearing at the Feb. 5 village meeting. Officials said it was “fiscally prudent to leave every option open,” when developing a budget.

Brown water

The issue of brown water was discussed relating to a TV report about the problem in the Village of Malverne. Brown water — too much iron in the water — is a continuing issue in Lawrence and one that Mayor Martin Oliner said the village has an “ongoing dialogue” with American Water about deionization and replacing old pipes. “Something needs to be done and hopefully Malverne will do something about it,” Oliner said. “Brown water does tremendous damage.” 

Upgrading the country club

The Lawrence Yacht & Country Club’s tennis court will be resurfaced for $9,800, the golf course maintenance pumps will be replaced at a cost of $3,350 and new tennis court drainage pumps will cost $1,262.66. Village officials said the resurfacing price is about $2,000 less than they have had paid the past few years. Board members also approved a marina and tennis referral commission for existing club members who bring in a new member. 

There has been a decline in marina membership in the past couple of seasons, the trustees said. An extensive search for a new tennis pro was conducted. The village believes it has a very viable candidate to replace Mark Harrison, and is concluding negotiation, officials said.

Village election 

The annual village election will be Tuesday, June 16 at Village Hall at 196 Central Ave. in Lawrence from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Two trustee seats are up for election. The two-year terms of incumbents Michael Fragin and Alex Edelman are ending. 

New parking meters

A half dozen new muni parking meters have been installed at a cost of $65,000, officials said. Two are in the lot behind Seasons supermarket and four are in the lot behind Amazing Savings in the business district on Central Avenue.