East Rockaway to cut taxes

The Village of East Rockaway has released its tentative budget for 2011-12, which is 4.4 percent lower than the current spending plan, and which will reduce residents’ taxes by 3.5 percent. This tax cut would mean that the average homeowner will save approximately $94 annually.“For far too long, East Rockaway village government — our government — was used as a private piggy bank, enriching the politically connected few who earned huge salaries or outsized fees,” said Mayor Francis T. Lenahan. “As a candidate, I promised to stop this. As mayor, I have.”

Lenahan added that thanks to reductions in village spending, East Rockaway’s finances will be back on track and there will be money left over “for a rainy day.”

The overall spending reduction will total nearly $400,000, and the departures of two employees account for a good chunk of that. Village Administrator John Mirando resigned in 2010, and projected expenses in the clerk/treasurer’s office were reduced by $91,000, from just over $459,000 to just under $375,000 — $84,000 of that in salaries. And the early retirement of 19-year veteran Building Superintendent Dennis McCabe cut projected spending for the Building Department by ,$78,000.

The Recreation Department also saw a substantial reduction of $107,000 in its budget, with the director’s salary alone reduced by $38,000. (Director Kristen O’Hagan’s contract is up for renewal in August.) Money allotted for special events, including the Stars & Stripes Festival and the Oktoberfest, was cut nearly in half, from $16,000 to $8,500. There is no word yet on whether these activities are still planned for this year.

The Public Library budget was reduced by $83,000, from $940,000 to $857,000, mostly due to the recent retirement of longtime director Ellen Rockmuller.

Lenahan said that he expects a new stream of revenue from the installation of metered parking in municipal fields in the business district. “A number of these fields are designed to provide parking for businesses at the waterfront that are heavily patronized by non-village residents,” he explained.

“Thanks to the hard work of our village officials, our neighbors can finally have some relief from our village tax burden,” Lenahan added. “I knew all along that it was possible to cut taxes without any budget gimmicks or financial tricks — and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Lowering our tax burden is yet another step in enhancing our overall quality of life.”

The board is expected to adopt the budget on April 25.

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