Clarkstown Town Supervisor Alex Gromack spoke about the strength of Clarkstown’s financial position, its Triple AAA status and high safety rating during his 2012 State of the Town Address. Gromack noted the achievements of the past year: adding open space, completion of industrial complexes and drainage projects, its receipt of a land use award, ongoing downtown revitalization and government consolidation.

During his remarks on Tuesday night, Gromack said the current communications system for emergencies needed change. He said Police Chief Michael Sullivan and a team will “initiate ‘Ready Clarkstown’ a new program designed to revamp our emergency notification system using a multi media communication plan to notify residents of emergencies and enhance our public awareness of preventative procedures.”

After the speech, Chief Sullivan explained the department had done a self-analysis after the August hurricane and October snowstorm.

“We decided we had to do a better job of getting information out,” he said. “We want a system that’s going to be more up to date.”

The upgrade the department is looking into would include email and text messaging capabilities. Its current system which allows calls to be made to designate areas was used during Hurricane Irene to alert residents to evacuate parts of the West Nyack and earlier in the year advised Nyack residents to stay indoors when a bear was sighted in their neighborhood.  Chief Sullivan anticipates a new system, including more information on the town’s web site prior to emergencies, will be in place before the first quarter of 2012 ends.

Gromack announced two initiatives, one a new idea and the second representing a step forward on an existing theme.  He proposed that voters elect the commissioners on the New York State Public Commission (PSC) instead of them being appointed.  He emphasized that more accountability from the PSC is needed especially in light of the severe weather of 2011. Gromack asked the town’s state senator and assemblyman to support existing bills in the legislature that would establish popular elections for PSC commissioners.

“When we ask the PSC for more accountability from O&R or United Water or the telephone or cable companies, it seems we get more inaction rather than action,” Gromack said. “When we ask them to deny the ever present rate hike requests we get riddles instead of relief. It is infuriating to note, even in light of the dismal failures in accountability, information sharing and response of O&R during the recent storms, O&R has applied for and will most likely get a rate increase that will exceed the 2% tax cap that municipalities have to live with.”

State Senator David Carlucci, who attended the address, said he favored the idea and would push to get the proposal moving in the legislature.

“The PSC is something the supervisor and myself have been critical of,” he said. “What the people of New York deserve is a PSC that is responsible.”

Gromack also spoke about a familiar theme - the town’s effort to get a larger portion of sales tax revenues.  He noted that between 65 and 70 percent of the county sales tax is collected in Clarkstown. Yet of the total county sales tax budget in 2011, Clarkstown received $2.8 million or 1.6 percent of the $175 million budgeted by the county.

Additionally, Gromack pointed out the county’s proposed staff and service cuts along with property and sales tax increases would impact the town significantly.  His second initiative called for an in-depth study of changing Clarkstown’s current charter from a town to a city.

“What would be the benefit, if any, if Clarkstown changed its charter from a Town to a city permitting us to collect sales tax and significantly reducing our town property tax,” Gromack asked.  “This is not a new question but it is a question that has never been seriously addressed and should be addressed now.”

Gromack recommended creation of a committee to review the feasibility, economic impact and practical implication of what such a change would mean. He pointed out one difference, that a city can collect its own sales tax.  He said the process would include outreach to make residents aware of what differences could occur.

Gromack said the idea would be abandoned if the study showed that a charter change would not reduce the net property taxes paid by homeowners. He noted that critics would probably raise the issue the state has not approved a new city charter in 60 years.

Carlucci said the idea to change the charter is worth exploring.  He said if there is a possibility it would mean residents could get better services at lower costs and make government more efficient, then it should be looked at. 

Gromack noted the sacrifices and commitment of military families and announced they would be eligible for the ‘free pool pass” program. 

“The Town Board and I, although we are aware that our action will never fully compensate for their sacrifices, will be directing our Town's Recreation and Parks Department to ensure that all troops returning from a post 9/11 combat zone and their immediate families will be entitled to a free pass to all Clarkstown pools,” said Gromack. “This program mirrors our current 'free pool pass' program being offered to Clarkstown residents who volunteer for our ambulance, fire departments and auxiliary police.

Several hundred people attended the reorganization that included the swearing in of Gromack, Councilmembers Shirley Lasker and Frank Borelli, Town Clerk Justin Sweet and Town Justice Howard Gerber. Congresswoman Nita Lowey spoke briefly to the spectators who included county legislators, school district administrators and board members, library board members, political party leaders and business people.