Do we have a choice to refuse the increase in taxes if we don't use the waste pickup.
My understanding is that there may be an opt out, which would be fine for those of us who compost. I heard a number of over $1 million as the current cost of the service as it works now.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The discussion took place during the last town board meeting. I saw it while watching the broadcast. Also a family member brought it to my attention. Of course we would choose to opt out as we compost here on Guilderland Ave.
2. A "fee" is a BAD idea because it is NOT tax deductible
3. A way to grab more money from the taxpayers and try to stay under the DEM king Andrew's phony tax cap
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Rotterdam has voted down a taxing district for an ambulance, and two new proposed fire stations. WHY? Because they can't afford any more taxes!!! DUH!
So now folks who chose to opt out will either let their properties go to sh!t or dump illegally!!! WTF?
Those that govern just don't get it and are totally out of touch with their constituents.
Looks like it's time ROTTENdam control their spending and start cutting in town hall FIRST!!!
SHOW THEM THE CUTS FIRST!!!
Oh and by the way.....where's the ALS $$$$$$$$?????
And perhaps the rpd will be the FIRST entity (the most expensive) that will offer cuts.......yes?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
lining the governments' pockets is a way of life......and the voters are getting duped,,....
BUT.....the Senior Center is doing just fine.....close it down...it is not making money.....the only way they would make money of they charged a
door fee entry....bragging they have many many participants.....$1.00 could bring in the much needed revenue by the hundreds.....
YA THINK?????
it will save a lot of money when they inspect the place and how clean it is and how food is handled and the free stuff sold....lotsa infractions there and
because of politics.......health inspector turns a blind eye.....
ROTTERDAM Yard waste pickup considered for fee Service costs town over $1M each year BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Collecting yard waste for six months each year is an expensive endeavor for Rotterdam’s Highway Department. Supervisor Harry Buffardi said the cost ranges between $1 million and $1.5 million a year — or slightly less than 5 percent of the town’s $20.1 million budget in 2012. Most of that cost is associated with the roughly 18 workers who dedicate time toward hauling away lawn clippings, leaves and assorted brush. “I was a little astounded by the cost,” he said Tuesday. The service is one town residents count on for half the year. But Buffardi wonders if they would feel the same if they understood how expensive the service is and how it affects their annual tax bills. “It’s almost a sacred cow in Rotterdam to have your leaves and brush picked up in front of your house,” he said. “What we haven’t told people is what it costs.” The discussion about the service started as the town braces for yet another difficult budget year. With the budget increase obligated to stay within the state’s 2 percent tax cap, Buffardi is considering a proposal to charge residents a fee. “It’s certainly going to be on the table,” he said. “This is one of those things we’re looking at.” Buffardi said discussions about the service are in their infancy and nothing has been decided. “No one is suggesting a fee at all other than [the service] needs to be paid for in some way,” he said. In Niskayuna, residents are charged a flat rate of $30 per year for a weekly pickup of lawn clippings and small brush. Supervisor Joe Landry said the town also does an annual loose leaf pickup at no extra charge and those homeowners who want to opt out of the weekly pickup are not charged. “It doesn’t pay for all of it,” he said of the fee, which has existed for years. “But it helps with the cost.” Buffardi has asked all Rotterdam departments to cut “non-personnel related” spending by 10 percent in their proposals for the 2013 budget. He said the town isn’t bracing for any layoffs, but could shed some positions through attrition. The town may also enter into a shared-service agreement to split the use of Schenectady County’s compost facility on Hetcheltown Road. Town and county offi cials have applied for a state grant that would allow for the purchase of a packer truck to bring mulch material to the county facility. Buffardi said the town could shed one position through retirement if the grant comes through. Also, he said taxpayers could avoid the $750,000 anticipated replacement cost of the grinder now being used at the town’s compost facility off Princetown Road. Buffardi said he’s trying to estimate expenses in a “systematic an pragmatic way” so the town can avoid cuts to services or the workforce. His preliminary budget is expected to be submitted in late September. “At this point, we’re starting to count paper clips,” he said................................>>>>......................>>>>.......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01104&AppName=1
The residents may want to ask the question, where's their tax money going? What no ALS money coming in to help the taypayers? It's time to cut all parasitic entities, REMS, and let a real business come in, one that will actually return some money to the tow instead of constantly reaching into the taxpayers pocket to fund un-necessary expenses.Rotterdam is starting to resemble the city with it's fees and debt.
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