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Delaware allowed to override tax levy limit

By Derek Kirk
Posted 10/22/21

DELAWARE — During their regular meeting on October 13, boardmembers in the Town of Delaware voted unanimously to approve a local law that would allow them to override the tax levy limit …

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Delaware allowed to override tax levy limit

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DELAWARE — During their regular meeting on October 13, boardmembers in the Town of Delaware voted unanimously to approve a local law that would allow them to override the tax levy limit previously established by the town.

The floor was opened up to the public but nobody spoke in favor or against the proposal. After the allotted five minutes were up, the board voted to approve the resolution.

Town Supervisor Lundgren said that this was just a precaution and that the board does not expect to go over the two percent increase this year.

“It’s just a safety measure,” Supervisor Lundgren said.

In other news, the town board has taken no official action yet on the question of whether or not to opt into recreational sales and onsite adult consumption of cannabis in the town of Delaware.

Many other towns in the county have moved to either opt-in to allow or opt-out of allowing such cannabis businesses, with some arguing that it would increase tax revenue while others contend it could negatively impact public health.

“There was generally the feeling that there was no reason to do anything,” Supervisor Lundgren said. “We haven’t got much input from people in the community at all about it.”

If the board takes no official action then they will automatically be opted-in once the deadline has passed.

The deadline to officially opt-out is December 31, 2021.

County internet still wanting

During the public comment section of the meeting, Delaware resident Anna Steppich brought before the board the issue of Internet connectivity spottiness in some regions throughout the county.

“I think COVID showed very quickly to everyone up here how essential and vital [the] Internet is to us,” Steppich said. She continued that Sullivan County is extremely underserved on several back roads when it comes to Internet connectivity and service.

This under-service is also extremely costly, according to Steppich. “I know my neighbor across the street for his business spends thousands, and thousands, and thousands,” she said, “He’s upwards up to $15,000 for Internet.”

In response, boardmembers said they must show priority to other infrastructure issues in the county, specifically the water and the sewer projects that are to be set for the upcoming year.

However, the board responded to the call for better Internet connection, stating they will “definitely take broadband under consideration,” said Councilman Scott DuBois.

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