Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Manlius public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
7 issues in taxes budget with medium priority
Highway department project costs
About $4.1 million has been spent on the highway department project as of mid-August. Construction is wrapping up with final closeout expected by September or October; the short-term bond won't convert to a permanent bond until August 2027.
Highway equipment fleet renewal
The highway department replaced a 2016 wheel loader and a 2017 plow truck, saving roughly $12,500 on the truck through a package deal and getting $45,000 on the loader trade-in.
Trash and brush collection bid extension
The town extended its sealed bid deadline for refuse, recycling, and brush collection to August 19 after an interested bidder asked for more time. A decision on the contract is expected by the end of September.
Maxwell facility study and police department review
Nearly two dozen residents applied for the facility study group; finalists will be named at the next meeting. Four Maxwell School students are analyzing past facility studies and building costs, with a report due by end of June.
Town Clerk compensation
The board debated whether the Town Clerk should get a 6% or 5% raise, noting most town employees earning over $60,000 are getting only about 3.1%. They landed on 5%, citing comparable towns and her extra website and social media duties.
B-Fund Budget Deficit
The B-Fund is short because the Twin Ponds project hasn't started construction, so expected building permit fees haven't come in. Budget adjustments are coming.
Property Assessments and Taxes
A new state law offering a full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans is being rewritten because its eligibility rules currently exclude nearly everyone. A veterans advocate praised the town's existing alternative veterans exemption as among the most generous locally.