SF CUTS INCLUDE DARE PROGRAM

Sidewalk Plan Also Eliminated Under Proposal

SENECA FALLS -- The current version of the village budget carries a 4
percent tax hike, down from the 11 percent that was discussed last
week after department heads submitted all of their requests.

To reduce the figure, department heads were told last Tuesday to
re-evaluate their needs. The cuts that resulted include eliminating
the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, the sidewalk program and
the purchase of a $117,000 dump truck.

The village board stressed that everything discussed in its
three-session public hearing, which ended yesterday, was just
proposals. No changes have been made yet to the $3.7 million spending
plan proposed under former Mayor Antonio Costantino. That proposal
calls for a 1 percent tax decrease to $17.86 per $1,000 of assessed
value from $18.04 per $1,000 for the fiscal year that begins June 1.

Treasurer Larry Driscoll said department heads reduced their requests
from more than $350,000 to $137,895. Coupled with $25,000 the Seneca
Falls Library is asking for, that would bring the projected tax
increase to 4 percent or $18.81 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

In addition, Driscoll projects the village will finish the year with a
$1.8 million fund balance, which doesn't reflect $666,929 in revenue
from the sewer and water accounts. No decision has been made about
handling the fund transfers that were made under the Costantino
administration. Estimated deficits in the two accounts for next year
are unknown at this time.

Police Chief Frederick Capozzi said his cuts included $3,500 from the
overtime budget, which is used to provide security at community events
such as CanalFest, Convention Days, and the band pageant. He also cut
$5,740.25 to fund the DARE program.

"It seems like you've hit two areas -- DARE and special events -- that
go right to the heart," said 3rd Ward Trustee Anthony Petroccia,
asking Capozzi if he could reduce other accounts instead.

"No," Capozzi answered, noting he is operating on about $80,000 a
year, not including salaries and benefits. He said most of his
purchases in recent years have been with grants. He also said he is
not advocating cutting the DARE program.

"How effective do you think that program has been in Seneca Falls in
keeping kids off drugs?" asked 4th Ward Trustee Fran Wenderlich.

Capozzi said good parenting is the best method to fighting teen drug
abuse, but he still feels DARE is essential and sets a great tone when
an officer in the school district meets with students in a helpful
setting.

The board also has to address structural problems with the village
garage, which was re-roofed this year. Street Commissioner William
Gladis said the walls keep moving and have been heaving under recent
frost conditions. He didn't give an estimate but said it would
probably cost more to repair it than replace it.

There also were brief discussions about funding drug testing for
village employees, particularly those who operate motorized equipment,
and updating village ordinances (which Water and Sewer Superintendent
Jeffrey Warrick said could bring in additional money if people are
charged for hookups and other calls).

Ann Cramer of Cayuga Street called $3,000 for the sidewalk program a
bargain. It pays residents $5 a foot toward repairing their walkways.
She said she still intends to fix hers, adding the village has a lot
of walkers, joggers, strollers, skateboarders and roller-skaters who
use sidewalks.

Meetings are set up for 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, for the
Public Works and Public Safety committees to meet with Driscoll to
further review departmental requests.

The board will resume budget talks at 7 p.m. April 26. The budget must
be adopted by midnight April 30 or revert back to the one Costantino
proposed.