(Amended) Hewlett Harbor to Consider Tax Cap Override

Editor's note: This article incorrectly stated that the Hewlett Harbor Board of Trustees overrode the state's tax cap. It did not.

The board of will take up a vote to override the state’s 2 percent tax cap, citing a possibility of a future need to raise emergency funds.

“We maintain a very strict financial policy and have no plans to increase unwarranted spending,” Trustee Tom Cohen told Patch. “Bowing to the pressure that a potential crisis may pop up, we felt it prudent to have the ability to raise taxes should the need arise, although not anticipating the need to do so.”

The board of trustees had the implications of a tax cap last month, where Mayor Mark Weiss said the cap was more about politics than finances. It puts the onus of raising taxes on local governments, he had said.

The last time Hewlett Harbor raised taxes over the past decade was to fund its security patrol officers, according to Cohen, which he said was much needed.

So far, only the smaller villages in the Five Towns have approved an override of the tax cap, with , Hewlett Bay Park and Woodsburgh approving such motions. Cedarhurst may tackle the issue at an upcoming board meeting, its mayor said.

Other issues discussed at the meeting:

• There will be a demonstration of the village’s new database program that tracks building permits and construction projects at next month’s trustees meeting.
• The board approved a purchase order for new street signs, with production taking about 90 days. The signs feature 2.5-inch lettering, and improve visibility significantly over the village’s current signs. Village officials hope to have the signs installed by the end of May.