by Audrey Thomasson
IRVINGTON—A recently implemented real estate tax has resulted in a healthy bank account for Irvington. However, it also resulted in an admonishment by one town resident who has opposed the tax from the beginning.
During the public comments section of the February 8 town council meeting, resident Klaus Schaschek rolled out some numbers on tax collection that he said were not benefiting residents.
“There is $203,000 in a checking account…that is lingering in a non-interest bearing account,” said Schaschek. “Over the last two years, the residents were subjected to $171,000 in taxes, which enhanced the coffers of the town by $153,000 and the county by $17,000. Meanwhile, the town showed a profit of $55,000 last year and expects a profit of $68,000 this year that shows…the taxes were definitely not required given the total cash at hand at year-end will be $370,000.”
Schaschek noted that council cited the necessity of the tax for capital projects like sidewalk repairs and the potential loss of income from the town’s main revenue source, the Tides Inn…
