Latest News

Who’s responsible? Liability raised in dark skies debate
Bucks in first place in Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League
Blame a branch: Island lost power this morning
Sunset Beach asks for Bastille Day party permit
Town to mark underwater rock formation in Dering Harbor
LIPA generators coming to the Island
South Ferry hopes dredging can be done to avoid crisis
Dr. Hynes to speak at League of Women Voters annual meeting
Bryan’s song: First Islander across the 10K finish line
Three-run homer sinks Bucks against North Fork Ospreys

Sports

Bucks in first place in Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League

June 19, 2013

Sunset Beach asks for Bastille Day party permit

June 19, 2013

Bryan’s song: First Islander across the 10K finish line

June 17, 2013

Education

$2.8 million school building project begins this month

June 11, 2013

Nonprofit day care in Greenport faces hard times, may close

June 8, 2013

This week in Shelter Island history

June 7, 2013

Business

South Ferry hopes dredging can be done to avoid crisis

June 18, 2013

Merchants, board look to lower speed on Bridge St.

June 17, 2013

Driveway settlement? Judge may impose decision

June 13, 2013

Community

Bausman steps down as Island Red Cross CEO

June 17, 2013

Photos: The Island gets ready for another big race day

June 15, 2013

Letter: Welcome to the 34th Annual Shelter Island 10K

June 15, 2013

Obituaries

Obituary: Barbara Joy Roberts Carlsen

May 28, 2013

Obituary: Reporter staffer David Lee Draper

May 20, 2013

Obituaries: Elmer August Kestler Jr., Lawrence William Sliker

May 9, 2013

Real Estate

Real Estate: The evolution of Greenport's architecture

June 9, 2013

$400K driveway? Owners, landscaper in tangle of suits

May 30, 2013

This week in Shelter Island history

May 30, 2013

Opinion

Letters to the Editor: Dark skies, pro and con

June 13, 2013

Letters to the Editor

June 11, 2013

From Penelope's kitchen: Pacaya Flowers and Yucca Blossoms

June 10, 2013

Shelter Island Fire District set to adopt budget

Shelter Island Fire District commissioners are expected on Monday night to adopt a budget for 2013 of $831,286, $719,976 of which would be raised through property taxes. That’s up from the current amount raised from taxes by $18,080, raising the tax levy by 2.33 percent. But that figure doesn’t pierce the state’s 2-percent cap because the fire district’s 2012 budget came in below the cap and, by law, the district was allowed to carry over some of the increase not used in the current budget, according to treasurer Amber Williams.

Only the commissioners and two department members were at Tuesday night’s public hearing on the budget that would see a tax increase of $9.14 next year on a home valued at the town median of $640,000. That would raise taxes from $167.17 this year to $176.31 in 2013. A property owner with a house valued at $1 million would see a $14.28 increase in taxes next year, from $261.20 this year to $275.48 in 2013.

The Village of Dering Harbor will pay the Fire District $32,210 for fire fighting services. Another $1,000 of revenues will come from miscellaneous sources such as interest on district accounts.

Ms. Williams broke down the proposed budget showing that $309,900 is in non-discretionary spending — items the commissioners believe are needed but they aren’t mandated to do in 2013. Those include buying a new chief’s car that would go to Second Assistant Chief Greg Sulahian, who is driving a vehicle that would need very expensive front-end work and even then might not be usable for long. It also includes new radios, hoses, boots, fittings, water tanks and some relatively small capital improvements.

Non-discretionary items include debt repayments, insurance, utilities, wages for the district’s secretary, treasurer and custodian; and Length of Service Award Program costs.

Not contained in the 2013 budget, but something that could eventually come into play, is money to hire a part-time department administrator. Chief John D’Amato told the commissioners in August that, while he is retired and able to give the job the 30 to 40 hours required each week, the job might be a real burden for future younger chiefs who are still working and have family responsibilities. He suggested that such an administrator might be hired on a shared basis between the Fire Department and the Ambulance Corps.