Tuesday: School Taxes, Apartment Debates

Clarkstown’s accessory housing proposal and school tax surcharge have drawn considerable public attention in recent weeks. Both of these items are on the agenda for Tuesday night’s town board meeting.

The 8 p.m. session will begin with a less controversial topic - a special presentation to the New City-Suffern-Congers 9-10 Softball All-Stars Team.  The team won a host of titles including the Eastern Regional Division Championship.

The board is scheduled to hold three public hearings.  The first is on the proposed local law to allow accessory apartments in single-family residences. The second hearing deals with amending the town’s wireless communications facilities law and the subject of the third hearing is authorizing the town attorney “to institute a proceeding pursuant to the town property maintenance code.”

Additionally, the board will vote on rescinding the one percent collection fee for school property taxes for the 2013-2014 school year.  The surcharge was imposed for the 2012-2013 school year on properties in the Clarkstown, Nanuet, Nyack and East Ramapo school districts that are within Clarkstown’s borders. Town officials took the action to raise about $1.5 million after Rockland County shifted $2 million in expenses to Clarkstown. 

The board is expected to set a public hearing for Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. on Clarkstown’s preliminary 2013 budget. On Friday, officials announced the proposed budget would bring a 6.2 percent tax increase.  

The following agreements will be brought up for a vote:

• Employee Assistance Program Agreement with Nyack Hospital.
• New York State Power Authority regarding a solar installation
• Harbridge Consulting Group
• Settlement Agreement regarding Wireless Communication Facilities.

Tentative resolutions may be added that deal with a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) of the Samuel Road closure and the tax levy limit.

Expected votes on personnel changes include the:

• Resignations of Thomas Trevor from the planning board and Nicolas Zoda and Jean Luther as crossing guards with the Clarkstown Police Department
• Appointment of Joanne Castaldo as a principal clerk typist in the Town Clerk’s office
• Reappointment of Dolores Avaras as a member of the Board of Assessment Review.

The board is scheduled to vote on:

• Authorizing a street light installation at 113 New York Avenue, Congers.
• Authorizing installation of “Stop” Sign at Ember Drive, New City.
• Removing “Two Hour Parking “ signs on the east side of Maple Avenue from Demarest Avenue south to First Street.