Town Board Approves Budgets

The Town Board voted 4-1 to adopt its two budgets for 2011 Thursday night but not before some more fireworks involving the highway superintendent.

The $184.3-million operating budget offers a small tax trim averaging $8.68 in the real property tax bill for homes assessed at $4,100.

There is also a decrease of $800,000 in spending.

But before the vote, a spokesman for Highway Superintendent William Naughton read from a statement issued earlier in the day in which he complained about funds taken from the highway budget and used for other purposes.

"In recent years, starting well before the current economic situation, my efforts have been hampered by town board members who do not like the idea of having an independently elected town official who is not beholden to them," the statement read.

"The highway office has been unconscionably deprived of the use of budgeted monies to properly maintain and improve roadways that benefit residents in neighborhoods and communities throughout our town. Huntington residents have been denied fair value for their hard-earned tax dollars."

After spokesman Michael Kornfeld finished reading the statement, board member Mark Cuthbertson reacted strongly, denouncing what he said were the many times Naughton had missed opportunities to discuss the budget with other officials, and asking rhetorically several times, "Where was Bill?"

Cuthbertson added, "I don't have a problem with an independent supervisor; I have a problem with someone who is not accountable. It can only be resolved when we don't have an independently elected highway supervisor."

Town Supervisor Frank Petrone promised that Naughton "will receive an extensive comment in response to these gross inaccuracies. He's failed to appear at any hearings, failed to discuss the matter with member of the board. He'll receive his response in writing."

On Friday Petrone said, "It is sad that Mr. Naughton continues to ignore the reality of these difficult fiscal times and seeks a tax increase for his department instead of working on how to manage his department more efficiently. Perhaps if Mr. Naughton had participated in the budget process and had met with Town Board members and the Town's financial staff, he would have understood that the budget approved last night actually increases funding for road repair in a way that is more fiscally responsible and better serves Town residents."

In February, the town had sued Naughton over hiring in his department. The lawsuit was later dropped.

Councilman Mark Mayoka, who was the only vote against the budget, also questioned the process and said the town needed to do more with less, streamline the workforce, address overtime issues and do a cost analysis for more energy savings. He said the board could have waited longer to pass the budget so that some of his concerns could have been addressed.

That led Cuthbertson to say that Mayoka, too, had had opportunities but perhaps had made "a rookie mistake" of not understanding the budget timetable. Mayoka took office in January.

The elimination of 56 positions is expected to save about $4.3 million. The budget includes a salary freeze for other employees and an increase in some permit costs.

The capital budget will decrease spending, and is set at $10.9 million.

But the board expressed serious concern Thursday night over to challenge the tax assessment of its property in Northport.

Mayoka said it was essential for the town to "contact state legislators to fashion a solution to the LPIA grievance,  and I will do anything I can to protect the residents of the town."

 Cuthbertson said he agreed with Mayoka and that local officials would need the help of legislators and other officials  to deal with the assessment challenge. The board will form a committee of affected jurisdictions to determine its next step.