Senator Carlucci Delivers for Local Towns and Villages

Critical Funding Provided to Towns and Villages Struggling to Keep Up with Snow

This winter has been one of the snowiest in State history and has stretched local village and town budgets to the breaking point.

Senator Carlucci worked proactively with towns and Villages throughout Rockland and Westchester County to identify the problem and find a meaningful solution. Working with his colleagues in Albany, Senator Carlucci made sure $40 million of funding was made available to towns and villages struggling to offset major costs incurred over this winter. 

Snow removal, salt and sanding, and pot hole repair have added substantial additional costs to municipal budgets. The Village of Nyack has also seen the foundation of the front steps at Village Hall collapse due to the weight of ice and snow. Coupled with being over budget for snow removal this year, the Village does not have the funds to make emergency repairs which has created a hazardous and dangerous situation.

Senator Carlucci said, "This critical funding will make sure towns and villages throughout New York State do not bear the brunt of one of the snowiest winters on record and pass the bill along to the taxpayer. If we are going to mandate that municipalities stick within the property tax cap we need to consider these emergency situations."

The $40 million in funding will be similar to the CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) through the NYS Department of Transportation under an extreme snow cost application . Municipalities will be able to apply for Extreme Winter Recovery funding also through the NYS Department of Transportation.

Mayor of Nyack Jen White said, " Senator Carlucci delivered on his promise to help the Village of Nyack. Working to keep property taxes under the cap while dealing with extra weather costs is a constant struggle. With this funding, we will be able to repair our front steps and repair our local streets without pushing the cost onto the taxpayer."

Supervisor Sue Donnelly of the Town of Ossining said, "This winter has been very difficult for our community. Salt budgets and overtime costs have been expended and we still have October, November and December of 2014 to worry about. I want to thank Senator Carlucci for delivering for Ossining and our other towns and villages throughout the area."