Westbury OKs going over 2% tax cap

The Village of Westbury’s board of trustees authorized itself to pierce the state’s 2 percent tax cap when passing its budget this spring, in the case it needs to be exceeded.

Mayor Peter Cavallaro called the vote, which passed unanimously last Thursday, a precautionary measure. He said he did not intend for the village budget, which remained flat during the past two years, to exceed the tax cap.

During budget negotiations, which he said are beginning to materialize, two considerations will have the greatest impact on projections: expenses related to superstorm Sandy and the union contract negotiations.

Regarding Sandy expenses, he said, “We won’t be fully reimbursed.” The union contract, he said, “We’re negotiating right now.”

But, he added, those items should not have a “material” impact on the budget. He does not expect there to be service or staffing cuts, either.