Bovina Denies Disability Tax Exemption Request

Assessor Resigned

By Mary A. Crisafulli

BOVINA - Bovina Councilmembers denied the request to develop a real property tax exemption for individuals with disabilities on May 13. The request was formally denied by council members Dominic Gullow, Marni Greenberg, and Supervisor Tina Molè, with Councilmember Evelyn Stewart-Barnhart obtaining, and Councilmember Jillienne LaFever absent.

The request was sent to Sole Assessor Joseph Gifford for review, reported Molè. "There is a reason why no town or village in Delaware or Otsego does this," she said. Molè continued to explain that the parameters of what is considered a disability would be difficult to determine. "Where do you draw the line," she said. Molè continued to explain that only around 600 people live in Bovina, "I feel we do a very bare-bones budget..." and the taxes are just high. 

Greenberg agreed stating that the STAR exemption is very clear who qualifies while the disability request is vague. Greenberg proceeded to read portions of the request which stated that individuals with any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits abilities would qualify. Greenberg noted that the volunteer emergency services tax exemption recently passed by the town is for individuals providing a service for the community and has clear regulations. "I don't see how this is feasible," she concluded.

Stewart-Barnhart did not comment and obtained the vote due to her husband being disabled. 

In another conversation, the council accepted Gifford's resignation letter. "I am grateful for the opportunity the town of Bovina has given me over the years," Molè read from the letter. Gifford's last day will be July 16. The position is being advertised for.

According to Molè, many towns are having a similar issue with a lack of town assessors available and many seeking retirement. The positions are a six-year term, she said. Many towns have assessors that are in their 80s or older whose terms are coming to an end and they likely won't want to be re-elected, she explained. Molè is working with the county on researching the possibility of developing a county-run town assessor PILOT program. A PILOT is a short-term or experimental trial program.

In other business:

A bid of $10,650 was accepted for cemetery clean up including some tree removal to prep the town-owned cemeteries for summer mowing. Mowing will start in June. The council decided to use roughly $5,000 in remaining ARPA funds for the project. Stewart-Barnhart and Gullow recommended future budgeting to take down some trees that might cause future issues.

The annual water report has been filed and is available to view on the town website or by request to the town clerk.

Stewart-Barnhart reported earned interest of $5,079 in April totaling roughly $19,000 for the year so far. "It's been a long time since we have earned this much interest," she said.

After a long discussion, Bookkeeper Christa Schafer was permitted to switch software from Quick Books to Connect Pay as the current program used with QuickBooks will become obsolete. The Connect Pay program will cost roughly $19,000 annually while the new QuickBooks program costs roughly $15,000 annually. Council members went with Connect Pay as recommended by Schafer due to reports of fewer issues and its ability to generate W-2s and W-9s.

Molè will purchase flowers for the town over Memorial Day weekend.

The code officer conducted 18 inspections, held two consultations with architects, and issued three permits in April. 

The culverts on Mountain Brook Road are being replaced. Traffic delays are expected. 

Summer road work is scheduled for Miller Avenue, East Bramley Mountain Road, and Mountain Brook Road at a cost of roughly $150,000 of state CHIPS funds.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, June 11 at 6 p.m.