BUSTI - Town of Busti residents have no say in the dissolution vote in the village of Lakewood later this month, but it doesn't mean they don't care about the outcome.
During the Busti Town Council meeting Monday, several town residents had questions for which they wanted answers. One of the questions was, ''Would town taxes increase if the village is dissolved?''
Kathleen Sullivan, town supervisor, said there are many variables that are unknown to have exact information on how the dissolution of the village would effect town taxes. She said if the village was dissolved, the town board members would do what they can to keep costs down to save money. However, she said if the village was merged into the town, taxes would increase.
''Unfortunately, if the village is dissolved, taxes in the town will increase,'' she said.
Ms. Sullivan said her goal would be to keep the tax increase to no more than $1 per $1,000 assessed property value. Town residents this year pay a tax rate of $2.46 per $1,000 assessed property value. She said after a year or two of costs increasing after the dissolution, hopefully, there would then be a peak where costs would start to lower through attrition of employees, sharing buildings and other costs. At this point, she said hopefully costs would decrease by being more efficient.
''This is probably where the benefit would be seen,'' she said.
She said another benefit if the village was dissolved for the town would be an increase in sales tax revenues from businesses in Lakewood, which would help pay costs.
''I think it is workable. (We will) do the best we can,'' she said if the village was dissolved. ''If given lemons, you have to make lemonade.''
Another question asked was about special districts. Ms. Sullivan said districts would be created in the village to continue services like garbage disposal. Ms. Sullivan said the creation of the districts would not affect any of the 20 plus special districts already in existence in Busti. The supervisor said a special district could also be created for any debt the village owes so no town taxpayer would have to be obligated to make payments, only Lakewood residents would be responsible. Another question asked of the board was if their taxes would double if the village was dissolved. Ms. Sullivan said that would not happen, one reason being that the formation of special districts in the village so only residents in designated areas would pay for the costs of services provided.
The board was asked if the size of council would increase. Ms. Sullivan said no, but that possibly town laws would be changed to ensure representation would be equal throughout the whole town. Right now, three members of the board live in the town, Jesse Robbins, Richard Sanders and Ms. Sullivan. Council members Kenneth Lawton and Marsha Hern reside in the village.
The board was asked if the village was dissolved, when would it officially happen. Ms. Sullivan said in 2012.
The vote will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Busti-Lakewood Community Center.