Island Dispatch, 1992-11-13

              ISLAND DISPATCH Come Out & Support The Vikings at Rich Stadium tonight when they meet Amherst at 10 P.M. SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 20 PAGES VOL. 49 • NO. 33 NOV. 13, 1992 Tentative Town Budget Aired At Hearing THE TENTATIVE general town fund budget of $3,449,673, received at a public hearing November 9, will be reduced to $3,427,173 if approved as scheduled Monday. The reduction reflects the removal of $22,500 publicity fund, turned down by voters, Nov. 3. The 1993 budget projects a tax rate of $1,845 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, up 23 1/20 from the current $1.61. Questioned and sometimes protested by some of the six taxpayers at the hearing were a number of items including the town historical budget of $1,425, an increase of $425 or 50% more than 1992. Justification of some increases were explained by Supervisor James H. Pax and Councilman Gail Lazenby. Councilwoman Marion P. Fabiano received a round of applause when she announced the annual refuse pickup and recycling program cost will be reduced by $33 per household. The highway rate of $1.76 per M will remain the same, Pax said. The cost of fire protection will be increased by 6#, from 93tf to 99tf per $1,000, sewer and water rates are prorated by district. Cost of water in 1993 will be increased from $1.70 per 1,000 gallons to $1.75, the audience was told. Calling it a "bare bones" budget, Pax said it could have projected no property tax increase except for the need to meet a $140,000 litigation payment on a lawsuit settlement. MEK The Vikes Celebrate After Exciting Depew Win! See page 13 for more Photo by Barbl Lare Land Use Study May Aid Master Planning THE LAND Use Service Cost/Revenue Generation Study, recently completed by the accounting f inn of Fiddler & Co., is currently being examined by the Master Plan Update Committee and others involved in that project. Councilman James R. Sharpe, Committee Chairman, commenting on the report, indicated he agreed with Fiddler's recommendation that "As town officials move to implement the new Comprehensive Master Plan, (hey should consider the current mix of properties and the implication of changing the mix through future development." Although other factors must also be considered in the balance of planned land usage, "the beneficial subsidy of commercial development and taxable open land must be considered," the survey claims. Sharpe, who recommended that land use be explored, said "We have tried to come up with a plan that will provide the service and programs residents want and still keep within reasonable tax limits. 1 think the land use study will help us solve that problem." The study, in part, explains it is "intended to help local officials - evaluate future land use choices by considering the financial implications of the cost of servicing versus the revenues generated by various types of development," and that 80% of the town's taxable assessed valuation is residential property, 4.5% open space and 15.5% commercial. According to the 1991-92 tax rolls, though 11 new businesses paid but $2118.37 in town taxes, they paid a total of $18,895.99 in a combination of town taxes, highway, fire and speical district fees which benefit the town at large. These businesses are Robert's Machine Corp., Fast by Gast, Ammex Corp., ARS Service, GP-50, Inducon I & 11, Hollisßoss Agency, Health Care Plan, YIP Pharmaceutical, and Grimm Associates. Only four of those are BCIDA tax abated though still pay service user fees. Copies of the 11 page report, compiled at a cost of $5,000, are available in the lown hall for examination. MFK WEATHER: The Old Farmer's Almanac says -Nov. 13-14: clear, mild. Nov. 15-18: rain. Nov. 19--20: snowstorm, .seasonable.