Budget

The proposed budget calls for a $3.67 million operating budget, up from $3.58 million last year. The tax levy would increase from $3.45 million to $3.54 million, which amounts to an increase of $83,567 or 2.4 percent.

Highlights of the Riverhead Town Board meeting on Nov. 17, 2015: law firm hired to defend federal lawsuit over use of water towers under leases with cellular companies; new accountant hired; 'World Prematurity Day' acknowledged.

Eligible homeowners in Riverhead Town would have received state rebate checks this fall equal to the 2015-2016 increases in county, town and school property taxes — had all taxing entities kept within the statutory tax levy limit.

Riverhead officials will hear public comment tonight on a proposed local law authorizing the town board to override the state-imposed property tax cap for fiscal year 2016.

Riverhead Town’s tax rate will increase 4.08 percent under the $54.3 million town spending plan Supervisor Sean Walter has proposed for fiscal year 2016....

Riverhead’s senior citizen and recreation departments will be combined into one in a move that will increase programming and save the town about $1 million over the next five years, if a plan put together by the two department heads is approved by the town board.

With EPCAL redevelopment still more vision than reality and cash reserves running out, Riverhead Town faces a budget gap it won't plug without major tax hikes, layoffs or both. For real. Tough decisions must be made during a heated local election season by a board that hasn't even adopted a budget for four of the past five fiscal years.

New state regulations for English language learners follow a recent influx of ELL students at Riverhead. A March 9 forum for discussion of a nine-period school day at the high school has been scheduled.

Split board approves department consolidation, 7 employee promotions and/or raises; town planner's retirement, payout made official.

Longtime Riverhead planning director Rick Hanley has put in his retirement papers effective Jan. 3, according to Supervisor Sean Walter. He will 'bump' a less senior planner from her position for three days.