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MONTROSE, N.Y. The Hendrick Hudson School Board encountered an edgy group of about 15 senior citizens at the school board meeting on October 5, many irked by the scope of the bond proposal, and the prospect of rising property taxes.
Economic uncertainty cast the mood of the evening, many seniors getting up to speak about the unbearable tax burden carried by residents. George Price, an engineer and senior citizen, said There are people here who cant afford the kind of taxes. Why are people moving out of Westchester? Because people cant afford the taxes. Im paying close to $10,000 a year, and thats not counting the other taxes, he said.
Price also said that he didnt believe the districts goals could be met by the new preliminary bond estimate, which asks tax payers for $25 million over 20 years.
Theres a lot of uncertainty about what well get from Indian Point, said John Mattis, a 38 year resident of the district, referring to the large tax burden carried by Indian Point. Indian Point contributes millions of dollars to the Hendrick Hudson School Districts budget each year.
The bond proposal update came the same day as County Executive Robert Astorino announced that despite a projected $114 million budget shortfall in fiscal year 2012, he would not increase taxes.
"A tax increase is off the table," said Astorino. "With Westchester residents already paying the highest property taxes in the United States, we simply cannot afford to increase that burden. Living within our means will require tough decisions. Our goal is to make smart choices to bring down spending in ways that increase efficiency while still preserving essential services, he is quoted on the countys website.
When the district begins repaying the bond in earnest, the added tax burden would amount to approximately a 3 percent tax increase, according to Superintendent of Business, Enrique Catalan. This would amount to just over $340 per year on the median home in Cortlandt. The example was given of a home on Bannon Avenue, originally assessed at $7,700, and which has a current market value of $440,00.
In the City of Peekskill, the median home would have a tax increase of about $175 per year. The example given by Catalan is of a home on Jackson Street in Peekskill, originally assessed at $7,700, and which has a current market value of $207,000.
Not all attending the meeting were detractors to the bond, the Parents Committee on Music co-chair, Debbie Migliore, said My head is spinning because I know its difficult for people to pay their taxes, myself included, but were willing to dig deep.
The new bond proposal include a standalone performing arts center, new synthetic turf athletic fields, and renovated science labs at the districts high school and middle school. Technological improvements would also be made to the districts elementary schools, as well an infrastructure repairs to septic fields and roofs.
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