Crunching the numbers in the Town of Collins

At the Nov. 5th meeting of the Collins Town Council, a public hearing was scheduled for the purpose of presenting the town’s proposed budget for the coming year.

Town Supervisor David Tessmer went over the 72 pages of the new budget, pointing out where and why it differed from the current year. Tax rates in varying parts of the town will vary, due to the fact that different water or fire districts are involved with different problems, and thus different rates. As a generalization, however, it can be said that the tax rate per thousand of assessed value will be about 4 cents less than last year, dropping from $19.67 in 2012 to $19.63 in 2013.

There were a few questions from attending residents, but with no serious challenges the budget was accepted and passed.

The board was informed by Tessmer that in attending a Post Office meeting he learned that the Collins Center Post Office will be reducing its hours sometime after Jan. 13. While the lobby will remain open as now, the hours available at the window will be reduced to four hours a day. What four hours, and the day this all begins is yet to be determined.

Tessmer also reported that the town’s application for grant monies for the purchase of a new bin for the transfer station has been received and takes its place in a long line of applications. It will doubtless be three to five years before the town will reach the head of the line for consideration. The transfer station was inspected by the DEC and passed as acceptable.

Town Clerk Becky Jo Summers reported transactions in her office for October amounted to $5,337.30, with the town’s portion being $4,186.87.

Building Inspector Gene Degman reported four new building permits for October at a total value of $24,800.

In other matters, the board:

• With delinquent water bills amounting to $29,510.87, which includes the 40 percent delinquent fee, and $665 in property clean-up fees, moved and passed that these charges be transferred to the county to be added to the tax levy on the affected properties in their 2013 tax bills.

• Accepted the audit of the Town Justices, Daniel Kuligowski and Norman Peters, performed by Freed Maxick & Battaglia, PC.

•Authorized the use of the C-4 corridor trail through the Collins Town Park by the Southern Tier Snowdrifters snowmobile club for the 2012-13 season, subject to proof of insurance with town coverage. The trail is to be double marked as in years past.

The next meeting of the Collins Town Council will be on Monday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., in the Collins Town Hall. The town hall will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12 for Veterans Day, and on Thursday, Nov. 22 for Thanksgiving. On Monday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m., there will be a Dedication Ceremony of a new flagpole at the Collins Town Park in memory of war hero James Hackemer.