OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen
Town of Arkwright Supervisor Brian McAvoy set a goal of decreasing taxes again this year in the town, and that goal came to fruition at the latest meeting of the Town Board.
ARKWRIGHT — Town of Arkwright Supervisor Brian McAvoy said in September that he hoped to deliver a tax cut to residents in the town once the 2025 operating budget was finalized.
“My perspective is, I would like to continue to do what we’ve been doing on the tax rate, a slight ratchet down,” McAvoy said.
A month later, McAvoy and the Town Board delivered on that goal.
Following a public hearing on the budget with no comments, the Town Board passed the 2025 operating budget with a 1.8% reduction in the Town tax rate per $1,000.
Also at the recent meeting, McAvoy gave a presentation on assessment, fair market value and equalization rates. According to McAvoy, over the past 10 years, fair market value of homes has risen approximately 67% based on Arkwright’s equalization rate. The assessed value of those homes, however, has only changed if there has been a permitted change to the property. The fair market value of a new building is set based on State formulas and does reflect today’s relatively high cost of building. McAvoy stated that the Arkwright offers a “competitive” tax rate compared to neighboring towns.
Another notable discussion at the prior meeting centered around the new Highway Department addition. The Town expressed its displeasure with the work of the contractors due to the steel of the building appearing to be dented or damaged, due to an issue referred to as oil canning. Among the causes for oil canning includes the over-driving of fasteners, loose or tight clips, uneven substrate, underlayment that is not flat, or the primary structure being moved.
The Highway Department addition total cost amounts to just over $850,000. The general construction bid was awarded to NCI Construction, of Lancaster, NY, in the amount of $742,000. McAvoy previously stated the only other bid received by the Town was well over $1 million.
McAvoy said at the September meeting, “We’re not just accepting it. … A brand new building that we’re paying this much money for, you want it to be pristine.”
In the month since, the contractors have agreed to replace the damaged steel. The expectation is that the replacement will begin in the coming days. Other aspects of the building are also being wrapped up, under the supervision of architects from CPL.
“Despite some glitches along the way, we are progressing and don’t have any game stoppers,” McAvoy said.
The next meeting of the Arkwright Town Board is set for Monday, Nov. 11. A public hearing regarding a Volunteer Firefighter Tax Exemption in the Town will be held at the meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Arkwright Town Hall.