CARMEL BOARD MARCHES ON WITH SPENDING

Carmel Board Marches On With Spending – January 27, 2010

Despite the financial crisis, all taxpayers are facing, the Carmel Board continues their plan for a community center that will ultimately cost millions of dollars. At the January 27, 2010, Town Board meeting, the Recreation/Parks Department Director and the Advisory Committee Chairperson requested to move forward on a multi-million dollar community center. There was concern by some board members that no public transportation was available to Sycamore Park, the site of the center. The Director and Chairperson reassured the board that even though this site did not meet all the needs of the community, it wasn’t “the end all” of developing recreational sites. Additional plans for future centers & recreation areas were also considered. No cost for these items was disclosed.

This community center & numerous ball parks are part of a 2008 Master Plan designed by the Advisory Committee Chairperson and its members. Coincidently, the Chairperson is also the President of Mahopac Sports Association. MSA will benefit greatly from these costly recreation sites, without taking part in paying for them. In actuality the taxpayers give MSA approximately $90,000 each year.

Link to 2008 Master Plan

The cost of the center was estimated at four to five million dollars. Councilman Ravallo commented that it will “probably cost more”. He asked about the size of the building. It was explained that the 8,000 square foot project would include a large meeting room, with side rooms to be used for seniors, teens, & office staff. Later it was mentioned that the community center would also include a stage and climbing wall.

During this dark time of unemployment, loss of homes and ongoing tax increases; community centers, especially those large enough to include a stage and climbing wall, should not be a priority or be on the Town’s agenda. Just two short months after approving an increase tax rate of 7 ½%, this board “MARCHES ON”, with spending our money and planning expensive projects with little regard to our financial difficulties. It is time that the Carmel Town Board curtails their spending and projects that will burden the taxpayers for years to come.