Bellport residents say yes to higher taxes
A file photo of the view from Bellport Bay Yacht Club. (Jan. 23, 2011) Credit: Eileen Holliday
We want higher taxes.
That was the message a group of about 30 residents sent to Bellport's village trustees at a Monday night public hearing where a proposed 8.4 percent tax hike was on the table.
The hearing began with comments from the trustees, some of whom agonized over whether the tax increase -- which would have added about $80 to the $1,000 average annual property tax bill -- was prudent in tough fiscal times.
But when the trustees turned the microphone over to residents, taxpayers made it clear that protecting village amenities -- its Fire Island ferry, golf course and Ho-Hum Beach -- were worth the extra dollars.
About 20 of the residents spoke, with many voicing fears that the $4.5-million annual budget proposal was too conservative. The crowd cheered when one resident said a 15 percent tax increase would better protect the village's assets.
"What you have to do is take care of the facilities in this town, so you live in a village where everybody knows the community takes care of its families," said resident Francis Trotta.
The trustees entered the hearing poised to vote on Mayor David Pate's budget proposal but agreed instead to re-examine the spending plan based on residents' comments.
The board could adopt a budget at its April 25 meeting.
Pate said the village would "look at both sides of the coin to come up with an acceptable solution."
Before residents spoke, trustee James Vaughan called the 8.4 percent tax increase "unacceptable." But after the hearing he pledged to be "as tightfisted with this budget as I possibly can while maintaining the amenities that we have."
Resident Frank DeRosa cited the ability of many village residents to take on a reasonable tax increase, which officials say is needed to support rising medical and retirement costs for village employees.
The village -- a manicured waterfront community of 2,500 residents where celebrities such as actress Isabella Rossellini own homes -- has a median family income of $80,850 -- 12 percent higher than the rest of Suffolk County, census data states.
"If we're talking about $50, $100 to bail us out. . . . That we can afford," DeRosa said.
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