islip town

The leader of the Islip Town Democratic Committee says his group plans to examine "from top to bottom" the town's recently approved 2013 operating budget, which includes a 28-percent property tax increase and employee layoffs.

Gerry Pallotta, president of the committee, called the tax increase, which passed unanimously last week, "unprecedented," and said town taxpayers deserve a full accounting of what the Republican and Conservative party-dominated board cut from the budget.

"It shakes the trust of the taxpayers," Pallotta said.

At least 22 full-time employees are scheduled to lose their jobs, and at least another couple of dozen part-time guards at the town's marinas will be out of work, town officials have said, adding that they still are finalizing the...| read more ››

After a firestorm of criticism, Islip officials say they are considering privatizations, layoffs, downsizings and closures as a means to reduce the proposed 65 percent town property tax increase for the 2013 budget.

Councilman Anthony Senft, a Conservative on the Republican-majority town board, said the goal is to minimize town government's footprint by reducing spending before increasing revenue, though he said there is no specific plan for cuts yet.

"There is no way I will vote for a 65 percent tax increase," Senft said of the budget announced in September and due to be finalized next month. He said the town is looking at privatizing entities such as its hatchery, marina and golf courses and closing or restructuring parks,...| read more ››

The chairman of the Islip Republican Committee on Thursday declined his appointment as a paid legal adviser to the town's planning board, an arrangement critics had decried as political patronage.

Frank A. Tantone, a lawyer the Republican-dominated town board appointed to the $55,000 annual contractual position in May, said that because of Islip's "challenging [financial] times" he would likely volunteer to do the job.

"While I appreciate being selected for such a significant public service, I have notified the town attorney that in light of Islip's looming financial crisis, it sets a better example to donate my services without compensation to help the town through these challenging times," Tantone said in a statement.

In an interview, Tantone, a former...| read more ››

"This is the hardest possible thing for a fiscal conservative to have to wrestle with," Croci said during the public hearing, which drew a large crowd. "We cut to the bone . . . It wasn't what I thought I would ever have to do my first year in office."

Several residents, however, accused Croci and the board of fiscal irresponsibility and urged a harder look at budget cuts.

"I'm just so frustrated," said Nancy Weibel, 63, of Bayport. "When I read that 65 percent, I almost fell off my chair . . . I voted for you, but honestly I don't think I will again."

Croci countered that the board has worked aggressively to cut spending. Earlier this year,...| read more ››