Cohocton taxes to go down 30%... again
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By Bob Clark
The Evening Tribune
Wed Sep 24, 2008, 02:30 PM EDT
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Atlanta, N.Y. -
Cohocton town officials are looking at another double-digit tax cut this year.
While the budget is in its workshop phase for the Town of Cohocton, Supervisor Jack Zigenfus is pleased with how the budget is shaping up.
Zigenfus presented the town board with a draft budget at Monday night’s meeting, with a 30-percent tax cut — for the second year in a row.
The town is expecting $937,500 from First Wind by Jan. 2, 2009 as part of a community host agreement. The agreement, Zigenfus said, came as the town negotiated with the company over a proposed a 50-turbine wind power system.
As some other towns are looking at cuts or higher taxes next year, Zigenfus said the payments have been a significant boost to Cohocton.
“We’re not in that position (of), ‘where do we cut? Where do we cut?’” he said. “In my proposed budget, I didn’t cut anything.”
Zigenfus did not have specifics on exactly what the budget totals will be for this year, but he said taxes will be cut, funding for current initiatives will be kept in place and some money from the payment will be put away into savings.
To get the budget ready, the board will host a budget workshop at 9 a.m. Saturday in the town hall.
In 2007, the town was scheduled to receive a total of $725,000 from UPC Wind, which was renamed First Wind. The town’s tax levy for 2008 dropped from $226,000 to $158,000, with the remainder picked up by the fees and agreements with First Wind.
A public hearing on the budget will be hosted by the board at its next regular board meeting, scheduled for Oct. 20, followed by the budget’s approval.
In other business, the board hosted a public hearing on a proposed adult entertainment zoning law.
According to Zigenfus, there will be certain sections of the town where adult entertainment businesses will not be allowed, including residential areas, in downtown areas or near churches.

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Comments (3)


notcool
17 hours ago

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Wow, a 30% tax cut. I wonder if all those who opposed the windmills are refusing to accept this tax cut? I may move to Cohocton!!!!! Wooh Hooh!


steuben-native
13 hours ago
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I say let's put someone from COHOCTON on the ticket for Sheriff in November!!!! There's some wonderful creative thinking going on up there! I'm all behind Dave Cole/Jim Waight--big-time--but...these Cohocton folks know their stuff!


gregoryhodges
4 hours ago
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As an electrical engineer and as a graduate of Cohocton in 1992, I have had the opportunity to work with doing research for Virginia and the Department of Defense in studying the feasibility of offshore wind power. Renewable energy has a lot of great benefits but like anything else there are some downsides to it too. However, in today's geo-political environment it is very important invest in domestic produced power generation especially in sources of power which its fuel costs is virtually free. The fact that Cohocton has allowed the wind turbines make me very proud of my hometown.