Lloyd Harbor Proposes Higher Fees

Residents of Lloyd Harbor could soon be facing fee increases, according to village mayor Leland Hairr.

At a regular board of trustees meeting at village hall Monday, Hairr compared the rates of some surrounding villages and the and suggested a review of the fee structure in an effort to charge rates equal to those of other areas.

In what is becoming a trend among some village governments in recent months, a similar proposal was made by the Huntington Bay Board of Trustees in May.

residents could be subject to significant increases in charges for real estate signs, tree removal and burglar alarm fines in an effort to raise revenue.

With a state mandated two percent tax cap looming, Hairr said the adjustments are necessary so that the village does not have to subsidize activities.

"It is incumbent upon us as we try to comply with being fiscally prudent that we look at these other costs," said Hairr.

When questioned by Patch, Hairr said the village would consider lowering costs in areas where they were out of line with comparable villages.

"If we are way out of line for some reason, then yes, we will adjust," said Hairr.

In May, Huntington Bay Mayor Herb Morrow suggested the village board review basic building application costs in five or six nearby villages including Lloyd Harbor, Northport and Westbury.

"If you move into a village and you don't realize that your going to have more constraints than if you move to Hicksville then you are really not the smartest buyer," said Morrow. 

The board of trustees did not discuss the possibility of lowering rates, but agreed to table the fee hike proposal until the next fiscal year.

"If our permit fee basic is out of line maybe we should consider that as we get toward next budget year," said Morrow