- By Dan Veaner
- News
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The Town is scrambling to make sense of election laws that are clearly laid out for elections, but not at all clear-cut for referendums. "The election law is not particularly clear, because it is technically not an election," explained Town Attorney Guy Krogh. He said that the law is clearly stated for elections of public officials, but he has been scrambling to get t long list of requirements clarified by State election officials.
Krogh said that some of the items he is tracking down are a battery of forms, election inspectors, ballots that must be printed to strict specifications and a printer capable of producing them, the correct number of ballots, affidavits from voters, instruction cards, lock boxes and a barrage of regulations concerning the hours the election may be held, the ballots and more. Sample ballots must be available to the voters at least five days prior to the vote, and the Town must make a large facsimile of the ballot to be put on display at the voting place.
Sherry and Don Norman were there to try to understand what they would be voting on and how it affects their ability to keep their trailer park property if the district extension is approved. As Farkas and Krogh explained that the $569 annual cost will be on the ballot even if State aid reduces the amount, Don Norman said, "We don't know what we're voting on. What are the hidden costs?" Farkas explained that $569 is the "worst case scenario."
Town Engineer David Herrick has already submitted documents to the State that officials hope will result in a reduced or even a zero interest rate. If the project qualifies the cost to district residents could be much reduced. But Krogh explained that the higher number has to appear on the ballot even if the eventual cost is less, saying that that price tag can only go down once the vote caps it. "The practical and the technical and the legal don't always align," Krogh said.
Other questions were answered as well. Sherry Norman asked whether she could get a list of eligible voters. Krogh said she could get it from the assessment office. When she noted that not all homeowners would be eligible to vote he replied that most on the list would be if they met the requirement of being on the latest assessment role. He also said that NY State residency is irrelevant to eligibility as long as the owner is physically present to vote and is listed as the owner. He said that New York State prohibits absentee ballots for such a referendum, and there are rules about who in a household can vote.
Farkas said that the referendum is tentatively scheduled for April 3, but will be no later than the 4th.
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