Editor, OBSERVER:
The editorial (Nov. 10) takes the Pomfret Town Council to task for raising property tax rates for the coming budget year.
My analysis of the supervisor's appropriation requests for the coming and current years show an increase of $50,007. A change in Chautauqua County policy switched workers' compensation insurance premiums from the county budget to local municipalities for the 2013 budget year. Consequently, the Town of Pomfret must pay $56,517 for this purpose.
I conclude that Supervisor Don Steger has reduced his requested appropriations from the prior year by more than the amount required for the new workers' compensation insurance premium charge. I concur with Councilman David Penharlow that the Town Council "did a really good job at cutting expenses" even in the face of inescapably rising employee benefit charges.
MICHAEL C. BARRIS, Ph.D.,
Fredonia
