Barrington votes ‘No’ to override tax cap

BARRINGTON—A vote to override the state mandated tax cap for the 2014 fiscal year failed to pass the Barrington town board, Wednesday, Sept. 25
Board members Bruce Castner, Ken Christensen Jr., and Calvin Crosby voted against the override, while Nate Olney and Supervisor Fred Wright voted in favor of it. Wright explained the town will only be able to increase taxes by 1.66 percent using the state’s “2 percent” tax cap formula. Wright explained the town will face cost increases from ongoing negotiations with the highway workers and Teamsters Local 118, health insurance, and retirement. Before the vote, Wright said he didn’t know what kind of tax increase Barrington would face if approved.
“I don’t want to get into into a situation where we spend more than we have to,” said Crosby.
“I know we’re caught between a rock and a hard place,” said Castner, adding, “We just can’t keep raising it.”
In other business:
• Planning board chairperson Sue Lange reported another member is looking to resign, leaving two open planning seats. Wright also reported the town needs a representative for the Yates County planning board. John King was approved to be a zoning board of appeals alternate.
• The board authorized a Justice Court Assistance Program (JCAP) grant application for up to $30,000. Clerk Joy Perry said the grant has an early October deadline and the justice was considering using funds to improve security in the town court.
• The board approved a coordinated assessment agreement with the town of Starkey to share an assessor.
• Lauren Snyder, Our Town RoCKS organizer, reported that the Dundee, Barrington and Starkey group was not selected for a $25,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation community health grant prize. She said they were notified Friday, Sept. 20. Snyder added the latest application was submitted July 31. Snyder explained this does not impact the program, as there were no plans for the additional funds yet.
• Snyder added Our Town RoCKS is still looking to fund up to four more microenterprise grants for small businesses in the Dundee, Starkey and Barrington area. She explained five area businesses were funded so far this year.
• Our Town RoCKS will host an information gathering meeting, Monday, Oct. 14, to see if older residents want mid-income, retirement housing in the Dundee area. The meeting will be held at the Dundee Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m.
• A Mobile Food Pantry truck will be at the Dundee American Legion Nov. 8 and Dec. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. Snyder said the food is available to anyone who shows up during those times.
The next Barrington town board meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m.