Clarkstown Referendum For Consolidation Passes, Other Referendum Fails

The two Clarkstown Referendums on the ballot drew strong responses from voters. Proposal Number One, Town Proposition Number One to consolidate the duties of the Receiver of Taxes with the Town Clerk's Office was passed with 75 percent of the vote. Proposal Number Two received the opposite reaction from voters who disagreed with it.

The unofficial vote tally for Proposal One was 12,031 or 75 percent in favor to 3,889 or 24 percent. Voters soundly defeated Proposal Number Two, Town Proposition Number Two, 11,460 opposed to 4,361 in favor. The referendum would have changed the town superintendent of highways from an elected post to an appointed one. The percentage of voters who cast no ballots was 72 percent compared to 27 percent who voted yes.

Proposal Number One:

Shall the Town of Clarkstown Local Law No. 3-2011, which provides that the Office of the Receiver of Taxes be abolished and the powers and duties of that office be consolidated with the Office of the Town Clerk effective January 1, 2014, be approved?

Clarkstown officials estimated a considerable annual savings form the consolidation. The town will save the salaries of the receiver of taxes and deputy receiver of taxes which were $114,800 and $92,480 respectively in 2010 plus savings from the benefits paid for those positions adding up to about $300,000.  

Proposal Number Two:

Shall the Town of Clarkstown Local Law No. 4-2011, which provides that the elected position of Superintendent of Highways be abolished and the appointed position of Superintendent of Highways be created effective January 1, 2014, be approved?

Clarkstown Town officials had said the change would enable consolidation of services for the three garages at the Seeger Drive complex and potential cost savings.  The town board's third reason for transitioning to an elected position was the town board would be able to establish professional criteria for the superintendent's job.