Town adopts three local laws

NORTH EAST — There were three public hearings held at last week’s Town Board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9. The meeting date was changed from the regular Thursday night schedule due to the Veterans Day holiday. The hearings dealt with changing allowable traffic on Irondale Road, senior citizens tax exemptions and Cold War veterans tax exemptions.

Irondale Road

The first public hearing dealt with concerns that large trucks, tractor trailers and other large vehicles have had problems negotiating the intersection on Irondale Road with County Route 22 (as well as County Route 60 or Winchell Mountain Road). Local Law No. 1 of 2010 is entitled “A local law excluding commercial vehicles from travel on Irondale Road.� It affects a .16-mile length of road.

“The problem is that trucks go up and have not been able to get through the intersection because of the steep grade change from one road to the next and the high crown for vehicles to get over,� said town Supervisor Dave Sherman. “It’s not a problem for cars or small trucks, but a turn has to be made at the top, and recently vehicles make it up to the top but have to turn back down and back up onto Route 22 in order to take a different road to get over the mountain. The general view is that you have drivers not familiar with the area who use GPS units, take a turn here or there, which is fine for automotive purposes, but doesn’t work out for large trucks.�

Sherman said anyone making deliveries on the roads and all residential property owners will have the right to travel the road. The law will be based on the definition provided by the New York state vehicle and traffic law. It will not affect agricultural machines that need to get from one site to another.

“There have been requests from people on that road to do something about the problem and we found this to be the most effective way, without getting too broad a definition,� Sherman said. “So we will anticipate that the highway superintendent will order the appropriate signs to be made and then get them posted on the road.�

The local law was adopted with unanimous support after the public hearing closed. It will take effect immediately upon filing in the office of the secretary of state.

Senior exemptions

Local Law No. 2 of 2010 amends Chapter 88 of the code of the town of North East to increase the grant of exemptions for senior citizens pursuant to the Real Property Tax Law. Such amendments are made on a fairly regular basis to increase exemptions for senior citizens, usually by around $1,000 or so.

“From time to time the Legislature amends the tax law for senior exemptions in increment income amounts. That allows seniors to get any exemptions or get maximum exemptions bumped up,� Sherman said. “So basically, this increases the amount of income that seniors may have and still qualify for the senior tax exemption, or for a higher level. This is stepped up.�

The supervisor was careful to note that this only pertains to the town of North East’s taxes, and that each taxing jurisdiction has to adopt its own taxing schedule, whether it’s the county, the village or the school district.

“We do this in order to provide as much exemption to be available to our senior citizens,� Sherman said. “The board over the years has tried to give as much aid and assistance as the law provides to seniors, and we’ve been very diligent in keeping up with this.�

The board voted unanimously to adopt the updated exemption schedule after the public hearing closed.

For the full schedule, or for any questions, call the assessor’s office at 518-789-3663.

Cold War

veterans exemptions

A similar rationale applied to the amendment for the Cold War veterans exemptions, stated in Local Law No. 3 of 2010, which amended Local Law No. 1 of 2008. Sherman said this law is relatively new and that many people may not even be aware of its existence yet.

“It’s not been around that long and I’ve crossed paths with veterans who were not aware of it,� he said. “Some may not be seeking exemptions, but I encourage you to call the assessor’s office to inquire, to get an exemption or to expand upon one.�

Again, the supervisor was careful to note that this only pertains to the town of North East’s taxes, and that each taxing jurisdiction has to adopt its own taxing schedule, whether it’s the county, the village or the school district.

The Cold War time period is defined very specifically, Sherman said, but covers a time period that many residents may qualify for.

“It covers various periods that may not have been covered by previous exemption laws,� he said. “Call the assessor to get clarification.�

That number is 518-789-3663.

Following last week’s public hearing, the board voted unanimously to adopt Local Law No. 3 of 2010, thus adopting the Cold War veterans exemptions.