BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI

North Country This Week

Story was updated at 10:35 a.m. on Sept.  28 to correct a typo regarding the dog control officer salary

MASSENA — Massena town council members have plenty of homework following the presentation of the town’s tentative 2024 budget, according to Town Supervisor Sue Bellor.

The budget was presented during a special board meeting on Sept. 27 and includes a number of measures that will be difficult to avoid, officials say.

According to Bellor, in order to maintain expected services for town residents, the 2024 budget will “necessitate a tax increase over the 2% tax cap.”

Officials approved a local law allowing the board to exceed the tax cap last week.

Current projections show that homeowners in the village of Massena should expect to see taxes increase from $5.43 per $1,000 of assessed value to $5.78 per $1,000.

Homeowners outside the village may see an increase from $5.93 per $1,000 of assessed value to $6.29 per $1,000. Those outside the village will also see an additional $0.51 per $1,000 of assessed value for fire proaction under the tentative budget.

According to Bellor’s narrative provided with the budget, the town will attempt to offset any extra property tax increase through revenues, noting the town is without a fund balance to do so. That move would help lower the tax levy.

One glaring issue that has complicated matters when developing the budget is the trailing liabilities left over from the sale of Massena Memorial Hospital to St. Lawrence Health nearly three years ago.

The 2021 audit of the towns financials, which was presented to officials in May, showed $1.5 million owed for workers compensation, which was paid to the county.

That move used the entirety of the town’s fund balance.

Despite the move to pay the debt in full, the town was still left with $5 million in hospital pension payments following the sale.

Another complication was the lack of gaming compact revenue from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe for nearly three years.

In 2023, the town received a payment of $595,192.67, the first since 2020.

Funds were also received in the settlement of a long gestating lawsuit against BOCES for under payment of medical services given to BOCES employees at Massena Memorial Hospital for many years.

That payment totaled $1,118,348.

The town also received $800,000 from Rochester Regional Health but was subsequently forced to pay $234,345 for legal representation.

Surplus property was also sold for $120,000, raising much needed revenue for the town, Bellor said.

In her narrative, Bellor also noted significant concerns that arose during the COVID pandemic, stating there were “more demands on the various services and employment contracts” while adding there were issues of rising costs for essential products, equipment, costs of increased fuel, supplies and delayed deliveries.

Proactive, ongoing discussions have been held with the St. Lawrence County Chamber, St. Lawrence County Economic Development Advisory Board, St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency, Air Products and New York Power Authority, Bellor said.

Tourism will continue to be a primary focus of the board and budget proceedings following the successes of numerous fishing tournaments in recent years, thanks in large part to the efforts of Fishing Promoter Don Meissner and grant writer Linda McQuinn, PhD.

“We can capitalize on their work with our Explore Massena Branding webmaster Jason Hendricks. We also need to continue with the grant writing by established engineering firms for the airport, highway, water districts and infrastructure.

According to the tentative budget, the town will see revenue of $11,213,336 coming in from state and federal air, along with inter fund transfers for such projects, in particular significant upgrades and repairs at the Massena International Airport.

Anticipated revenue for the town will come in the form of projected sales tax of $752,500, $284,000 from NYPA and $175,546 from AIM (Aids and Incentives to Municipalities), for a total of $1,212,046. Anticipated expenses are also rising, with an average raise of 2% for both full-time union employees and part-time employees alike.

Supervisor personnel relate services have also increased, according to Bellor.

Lawyer fees increased as well due to residual issues with hospital debt and other related litigation, according to Bellor.

Another expense hitting the town is airport repairs in 2024.

Despite the significant influx of grant funds, the FAA has noted that the town must maintain the airport with some of its own funds and not rely solely on federal and state grant funding.

That news came from an FAA inspection this year.

Another expense that rose is the tourism promotion and marketing contractual expenses associated with hosting major professional tournaments in Massena.

Though Market NY grants have been “successful and impactful” in boosting the local economy, Bellor said the initiative to promote such tourism must build self-sustainability.

Contributions to Meals on Wheels will remain the same from 2024 under the tentative budget, however a dog control officer, which began in 2023, will receive $12,000 per year.

The town currently maintains $231,896.74 in a NY Class Account pending allocation.

The town will also contribute over $15,000 less to the Joint Recreation Department in 2024 and will save funds following the dissolution of the Business Development Corporation earlier this year.

Other highlights in the budget include a “nominal amount” to be set aside for the new integrated chamber of commerce, which will see a Massena office maintained to support local businesses.

Code enforcement would receive $43,500 for personnel expenses, code work, fire inspections and contractual fees.

The town will receive up to $290,496 in CHIPS funding the the state Department of Transportation for paving projects as well.

Proposed revenues in the library budget have decreased $7,000, though the town’s general fund would cover the expenditures as requested in the proposed budget, according to Bellor.

Library expenses largely rose just for salaries, following an $0,80 per hour raise per the union contract. Worker’s compensation would decrease by $773 from 2023.

Following the presentation of the town budget, Bellor told council members it was time to do some homework as the town prepares for budget workshops in the coming weeks.

Those meetings are open to the public and will take place in room 30 at Massena Town Hall.