Mamaroneck budget preview: board hears public concerns, approves tax‑override law and staff pay moves

The Town Board of the Town of Mamaroneck on Dec. 3 heard a detailed presentation of the 2026 preliminary budget and approved a set of procedural and personnel measures after public comment.

Town Administrator Meredith and Controller Tracy presented the preliminary budget, which staff described as moving toward structural balance. The presentation included: projected 2026 expenditures of about $58.1 million; a preliminary capital improvement program of roughly $12.6 million that focuses on infrastructure (water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and roadway improvements); pay‑as‑you‑go capital of about $3.3 million to reduce future interest costs; and a tax levy increase at the state cap of 2.83% (staff said that corresponds to an average townwide tax change of about $292 per household under the preliminary figures).

Staff identified two major water projects driving capital spending: the Rye Lake filtration plant (recently moving into construction) and the Baldwin Avenue pump station (estimated at about $2.1 million). The budget presentation also flagged a flood‑mitigation package (roughly $3.6–$3.7 million in the plan) and noted that some capital projects were deferred to keep the operating budget stable.

Residents raised several questions during the public hearing. Michael Godfrey urged a midyear review of allocation methods and questioned the use of fund balance in the 40% calculation; Ian Rhodes (budget committee member) pointed to apparent water losses in the joint water system and asked the board to examine operational inefficiencies. Board members discussed both the prudence of maintaining a robust fund balance and the board’s options if unforeseen costs arise before adoption.

Votes at a glance

- Local law to authorize a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3‑c: adopted. Robin (board member) explained she would not support the law this year because she judged the projected fund balance sufficient to cover contingencies; other board members voted to retain the override as a procedural safeguard.

- 2026 sewer rent: the board set the 2026 sewer rent as presented; staff said the sewer rent will not change for 2026 but warned that debt service from the Baldwin Avenue pump station renovation will increase charges beginning in 2027 by roughly $136 per account as estimated in the presentation.

- Colonial Avenue pedestrian improvements (DOT TAP grant) — contract authorization: the board authorized an engineering agreement for the Colonial Avenue sidewalk/drainage project (contract fee reported in the packet as $282,540; staff said approximately $226,032 would be reimbursable through the TAP grant).

- Management and non‑union salary schedule for 2026 (3% increase) and one‑time staff stipends / controller pay: board approved the 3% salary schedule; additionally the board approved one‑time $5,000 stipends for three staff members to recognize extra duties and a $10,000 salary increase for the town controller, effective Dec. 31, 2025.

Board commentary and next steps

Board members voiced differing philosophies on the tax‑override law. One member argued the town should not adopt the override because the town’s projected surplus renders it unnecessary; another said adopting the law provides a last‑resort option without obligating the town to use it. The board will finalize the adopted budget in mid‑December and incorporate any remaining NYSHIP and sanitation contract numbers before adoption.

The board also received routine fire department claims and a November fire report and heard reports on housing authority vacancies and a recent summit on immigration enforcement impacts. The board adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for Dec. 17.