By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The Village's budget is a topic that will surely rise to the forefront of public discussion as the Garden City Board of Trustees begins budget work sessions next month in an uncertain national, state and local economic climate.

"I am concerned about the Village's response to this crisis," said Trustee Thomas Lamberti. "It's not simply this year's budget. It's going to be all of the budgets."

Lamberti said Gov. David A. Paterson is working to fill a $15 billion gap in the state budget. "There will be no one spared, I assure you," said Lamberti. "This school district and this Village will fall under that budget constraint. My concern is what have we done about it? What is this Village prepared to do as we face this budget?" He expressed his disappointment in the Village's response.

During the year, Lamberti raised revenue-generating ideas that he claims were ultimately squashed or not addressed. In the last budget, non-profits were assessed for water and sewer charges and Village Administrator Robert L. Schoelle, Jr. said he would explore the issue. In June, Lamberti asked if the business community can pay for garbage removal services. Lamberti said he did not receive a response to both matters.

Schoelle said sewer fees will be discussed during the upcoming budget sessions, along with other potential revenue sources. The privatization of commercial sanitation will also be an item trustees will explore.

In September, the Board discussed Lamberti's idea of instituting a $100 permit parking fee for two Village parking fields, but ultimately rejected the proposal with a vote of 7 to 1. Lamberti was the fee's sole supporter. He argued that it is unfair that tenants be allowed to park for free when the Village charges residents a $100 fee to park in the lot at the Garden City Long Island Railroad station. He was also looking to increase revenue for the Village as he anticipated a "tsumani" for a tax increase.

Lamberti said Mayor Bee should follow New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's lead and call for budgets from staff members that are five percent less. "I don't think we're paying attention," he said.

Mayor Bee said he was "very gravely concerned" about the budget. Deputy Mayor John Mauk, who is chairperson of the finance committee, said he was "painfully aware" of the financial difficulties the Village will face this year and the "painful cuts" ahead.

Schoelle said that three budget scenarios have been provided for the Board's consideration: the first contains the normal budgetary requests; the second contains an appropriation request with no increase over this year's budget; and the third scenario asks staff to come up with ways to provide the same level of service with a 10 percent reduction in their budget.

On Oct. 2, the Board of Trustees met with department heads to conduct a quarterly review of operational budgets. The four major concerns were with the rising cost of energy, overtime, tax certiorari cases and interest rates.

All department heads provide an overtime report to their department's liaison on the Board. At the Dec. 18th Board meeting, resident and Eastern POA director Walter McKenna asked trustees to look at overtime for those departments that can be considered non-essential, such as the library. Library liaison Trustee John Watras said the library does not have a lot of overtime.

With the economy in mind, trustees have exhibited extra caution when large projects appear on their meeting agenda for approval. At the Dec. 18th Board of Trustees meeting, for example, Trustee Donald Brudie questioned Robert Mangan, director of the Village's department of public works, as to why a bond resolution of $2.1 million to fix water wells 8 and 12 could not be delayed for another year. Well 8 was taken out of service in the fall of 2007 and well 12 is still in service but needs repairs. They are both located at the Garden City Golf Club. Mangan explained that the Village will have to borrow water over the summer from other communities if well 12 is not fixed. The Board voted 7 to 1 in favor of the bond; Trustee Brudie voted no.

Also at the Dec. 18th BOT meeting, Trustee Gerard Lundquist voted against a bid award of $129,000 to Tailored Roofing, Inc. to install a new terrace roof system at the northwest corner of Village Hall where the fire department is located. Tailored Roofing was the sole bidder, so Lundquist wanted the job rebid in the hopes of garnering more interest and getting more competitive prices. Mangan said they placed the bid solicitations in the usual trade publications. Three contractors decided not to place a bid after learning the job was more complex and required a crane to remove a refrigeration unit from the roof. Trustees John Watras and Thomas Lamberti also voted against the bid award but the item passed since the other five trustees voted in favor of the item.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend budget meetings. Work sessions will be held on January 29 and 31. A formal budget presentation is scheduled for Feb. 12. Two more work sessions will follow on Feb. 26 and 28.