Southern Ulster Times Apr. 12 2017

T IMES SOUTHERN ULSTER Vol. 14, No 15 3 APRIL 12 - 18, 2017 Huskies take command Page 44 Although a week late, New York State passed a $153 million budget this past weekend. It contains $1.1 billion in aid for grades K-12, which is a 4.4% increase over the current year. As the budget drama unfolded in Albany, the Marlboro school district continued to refine their own budgetary priorities and finances for the 2017-18 school year. The school board has until April 21 to adopt next year’s budget that will then go before the voters on May 16. Last week Patrick Witherow, Director of Business and Finance, reviewed the district’s most up to date figures. The 2017-18 levy stands at $33,948,733, which is $276,730 less that the current school year and is the third consecutive year the levy has been reduced. He said this was ONE DOLLAR The End Page 14 SERVING HIGHLAND, MARLBOROUGH & PLATTEKILL Marlboro school aid on the way By MARK REYNOLDS [email protected] 3 “largely due” to the amount the district received in building aid. Witherow highlighted the major increases projected for next year: a $1,103,662 rise in salaries/payroll/ERS/ TRS expenses that includes $300,000 in mandated driven programs that were incorporated after the adoption of the 2016-17 school budget. He said health Continued on page 27 Furry friend Lloyd extends response deadline on tow challenge By MARK REYNOLDS [email protected] J.P. Aponte Jaxson Craven, 3, greets the Easter Bunny, Saturday at Highland’s annual Easter celebration. More photos on page 23. WWW.SOUTHERNULSTERTIMES.COM Last week the Lloyd Town Board voted to extend the time they have to respond or appear in court to July 17 in order to answer a complaint filed against the town by Joseph DiBlanca concerning the recently adopted towing law. The board further stated that they would not enforce the terms of the new law until or after August 15, 2017. Attorneys for both sides agreed to these stipulations. This agreement does not preclude DiBlanca from filing a motion for a Preliminary Injunction “or similar relief on or after July 18, 2017.” As he has in the past, Councilman Joseph Mazzetti abstained from the vote due to a familial relationship with one of the town tow operators. Hansut said initially the town had to respond to DiBlanca’s Complaint by May 5 but the extension will allow more time for both sides to come to an agreement on this issue. Continued on page 3