Hilton Board of Education sets tax levy

District no longer accepts walk-in payments

At its regular Board Meeting on August 13, the Hilton Board of Education approved the tax levy for the 2002-03 school year to be apportioned between the district's four towns: Parma, Greece, Hamlin and Clarkson. The board approved a levy of $22,196,335 which is unchanged from the amount projected in the budget approved by voters in May.

"Due to fluctuating equalization rates issued by the New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services in the district's towns, we saw the tax rate increase for Clarkson jump from a projected 6.6 percent to 17 percent this year," Steven Ayers, assistant superintendent for business operations, said. "Clarkson's equalization rate fell from 52.02 percent to 47.8 percent causing their tax levy to increase 10 percent. Additionally, the Town of Hamlin's equalization rate increased from 54.20 percent to 55 percent, causing a decrease in that town's share of the levy."

The school district mails tax bills in September, according to Hilton Schools' Treasurer Sandra Ricciuto. "This year all Hamlin and Clarkson residents wishing to pay their school tax bills in person must go directly to the Town Clerk, Kathi Rickman, at the Hamlin Town Hall, 1658 Lake Road, Hamlin. The district is no longer accepting walk-in tax payments," Ricciuto said.

Actual tax rates for 2002-03 for residents in the Hilton School District are:

•Clarkson - $45.26/$1,000 assessed valuation

•Greece - $21.30/$1,000 assessed valuation

•Hamlin - $38.74/$1,000 assessed valuation

•Parma - $21.30/$1,000 assessed valuation