This is a copy of a memo I sent to Mark Stellato, Commissioner of Planning earlier today re: comprehensive plan. The question is this: Can we afford to spend $400,000 on a comprehensive plan.
Another point: We are projecting that it will be difficult to keep tax hikes in unincorporated Greenburgh BELOW a 10% tax hike in 2009. The library construction borrowing costs will be increasing--we're borrowing an additional $7 million in 2008 for the library ($600-$700,000 extra in debt service that we will be paying for).
If we keep adding expenses to the costs of government in 2008 - we will definitely have a double digit tax hike in 2009. If we don't watch ourselves we're going to force people out of Greenburgh.
We need to prioritize spending.
Mark:
During the budget discussions I am sure that the proposed comprehensive plan will be discussed. As I indicated, the $405,000 cost is too expensive and needs to be modified or postponed.
When you meet with the Town Board I will ask you to provide Board members with an analysis as to what aspects of the plan you can do in house. My preliminary analysis indicates that we could save substantial dollars by doing the community outreach in house --instead of paying high consultant fees. There is probably additional work that can also be done in house, at a savings to the taxpayers.
Please review each aspect of the proposed plan and advise if your dept (or other depts) can do the work in house.
Also--can you restructure the proposed plan into segments--and advise the board --what studies do we need immediately, what parts of the plan are not as essential.
I am writing you this note in advance so you have time to prepare...
PAUL FEINER
EXAMPLES OF SPENDING IN THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT COULD BE DONE IN HOUSE -NOT BY EXPENSIVE CONSULTANTS:
CPSC MEETINGS $19,500
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, ISSUE FORMULATION AND COMMUNICATION $35,000
DATA COLLECTION: $34,410
(SURVEY ANALYSIS PLAN; MAILING LIST, SURVEY TABULATION, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION, OUTREACH LOG, WEB SITE AND VISIONING DOCUMENTATION
DATA ANALYSIS: $61,440
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7 comments:
Thank you for putting the needs of the residents first!
At this time this expense should be put on hold.
Every penny saved is a great help to the residents.
The plan was only implemented for the benefit of a few civic leaders.
Please set this aside for now let's see where one can go without this plan.
we all know the rules and laws of the town ,why waste more money now when we don't have it.
What does Mark Stellato know he's a Sheehan patsy.
Don't leave this decision to him.
He is the one who had the zoning map changed on the dromore property via Sheehan 's request.
Stop this for now ,let's see how things iron out for next year.
The board did not listen to the supervisor and above all Samis who said that the library would cost more money than was planned .
We didn't need the new library,but
the major stars of the town were against the supervisor and Samis.
This is why we find ourselves getting deeper and deeper in debt.
Hold off as long as you can.
big waste of taxpayer funds
Paul -
If the cost of borrowing for $7 million is "$600-$700,000 extra in debt service" then the very first thing you should be thinking about is dumping the entire fund balance which is the engine behind the Town's vaunted AA bond rating. There is no way a AA bond should cost between 8.5% and 10% -
So, either stop the foolish scare tactics OR dump the financial advisor who's not telling you the truth.
Is this the same Mark Stellato who ILLEGALY changed the Zoning Map at the behest of Francis Sheehan???? This man simply can not be trusted.
YEP THATS HIM.
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