Taxes, taxes and more taxes

Monroe - While state, county and local taxes were discussed during Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt’s meeting this week on taxes, the cost of funding the Monroe-Woodbury School District dominated the discussion. Joining Rabbitt, the Republican state lawmaker from Greenwood Lake, on the panel at the Monroe Senior Center Tuesday night were Monroe Supervisor Sandy Leonard; Ronald Nowak, editor of the Greenwood Lake and West Milford News; and Blaine Alvarez-Backus, a resident of the Village of Florida. Speaker Ward Brower of Monroe complained of the continuing school tax increases. “We have taken a big hit with school taxes,” he said, noting that many seniors believe they have paid their debt to society. “ We need to make sure every penny is well spent, but the unions will not agree.” Rabbitt, noting that the teachers union is one of the most powerful in the state, said negotiations are very difficult to influence. John Collins, representing the Concerned Taxpayers of Monroe, said the school board informs him that teachers salaries are in line with business and industry with four percent salary increases. But he claimed that in the 2001-2002 contract a teacher with a Bachelors of Arts Degree received $34,478 per year. In the 2006-2007 contract, he said, a teacher with the same qualifications will receive $45,971 per year, a 33 percent raise. “The school district says one thing, but reality is something else,” Collins said. John Staiger, Monroe-Woodbury School District’s business manager, cited unfunded state mandates as a problem with tax increases. He also said that the yearly state aid allocation does not change despite the increased population growth of various regions. Rabbitt mentioned that many members in the state Legislature were unaware that proposals presented to them were mandates, but are now more sensitive to this problem. She also said that she needs more input on the details of the state aid formula and will fight to make necessary changes. John Hubert, Monroe-Woodbury school board member, expressed the desire to meet with Rabbitt to discuss various school district issues. While state aid may help, “our school board is crying out for a solution,” Hubert said. “We need to talk about keeping expenses down.” Meanwhile, Monroe resident Edward Dolis criticized Town and Village boards for permitting what he called overdevelopment as evidenced by overcrowded roads, schools and school buses. At the end of the meeting, Rabbit announced that she is forming a citizen’s committee to receive suggestions, thoughts and ideas for future legislation and she is looking for volunteers. The informal committee will be comprised of a grass-roots membership of citizens within the 97th District. The telephone at her district office in Goshen is 291-3631.