The Village of Baxter Estates is seeking input from village taxpayers. The mayor and trustees are asking residents of Baxter Estates if they approve of the Village purchasing the historically significant Baxter House for use as a new village. (Baxter House is located across from Baxter's Pond, on the corner of Central Drive and Shore Road, facing Manhasset Bay.)

Currently the village hall is located in the Fleet Bank. However, the property was recently sold and the new owner asked the village to vacate. At the same time, the Baxter House came on the market. Calling the circumstances of a possible purchase "serendipitous," Baxter Estates Mayor James Neville states in a letter sent to all village taxpayers, "the Village now finds itself presented with a unique opportunity, at a fortuitous time, to further enhance our beautiful waterfront entrance, our property values and our village identity."

He notes in the letter that financially the village will see some increase in expenses whether or not the purchase of Baxter House is pursued. He explains that Fleet Bank gave the village the advantage of a well-below-market rent ($500/month) for many years. He notes that a thorough search of comparable local rental space found that it will cost upward of $2,500-$3,000 per month.

Mayor Neville then advised his constituents that the purchase of the Baxter House would be funded through a municipal bond, which the village would pay off over the next 20-30 years, thus spreading the cost over time. He points out that at the end of that period, the village would own its village hall, thus sharply reducing occupancy expenses then. The board will also explore funding by combining taxes with private contributions and public grants.

The mayor and trustees urge all village residents to either send back the flier mailed from the village with their comments on it, or else attend the monthly board meeting on Monday, March 3, at 7 p.m. to let the board know how they feel about this idea.