The Ramapo Town Board agreed last night to override the state’s 2 percent tax-levy cap following a public hearing in which it heard from angry residents and a demonstration against the override at Town Hall, The Journal News reports today.
The vote to override was 3-0, with one member abstaining and another absent. Sixty percent of an elected board has to approve a cap override.
Members of the Town Board said they faced a budget shortfall, and new county fees are being passed to towns. Ramapo is cutting department spending, cutting pay 2 percent for elected officials,taking back cell phones and suspending vacation day buyback privileges.
Residents who oppose the override said the town shouldn’t pass blame to the county for its increased spending. They criticized town officials for spending millions of dollars on discretionary projects like the baseball stadium.
