To the Editor:
I am writing to clear up some inaccuracies in your May, 2009 article “Tax Cut Proposed in Irvington Village Budget.” The Village of Irvington’s final budget for the 2009-10, approved unanimously on April 27, resulted in a decrease in the tax rate of 0.02% not a decrease of 1.3%. The decrease in tax revenues was $126,793 not $144,000. Your figures reflected the tentative proposed budget, which was adjusted significantly after public input.
The Village realized savings in various ways, but the largest savings came from a major change in the Village insurance program, and the elimination of vacant positions for a police office and a park and recreation laborer. The final budget did not implement the transfer of sidewalks and right-of-ways to property owners as contemplated in the tentative budget, and funds were restored for the repair of sidewalks, maintenance of trees, leaf pile pick-up and removal of snow in accordance with current practice.
The Mayor, Jonathon Siegel, in his letter to taxpayers thanked, on behalf of the Board, “those residents who participated in the budget process, the Citizen’s Budget Committee and the Village employees for their help.” The entire letter from Mayor and the entire budget document is available at www.irvingtonny.gov .
I too, as a first-term Trustee, wish to thank all the residents who emailed, sent letters and appeared at the several meetings dedicated to this important budget process. Part of my personal vision for Irvington is to support and indeed improve the walkability and sustainability of the Village. I was therefore enthusiastic about the restored funding for sidewalk and tree maintenance and snow removal on high usage sidewalks.

Constance M. Kehoe
Trustee, Village of Irvington