By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

Voters in the town of Salina approved a measure Aug. 13 to abolish the position of receiver of taxes and assessments. The referendum passed with 383 votes in favor and 72 votes in opposition.

“It is gratifying to know that the voters in Salina agreed with the town board in our efforts to make government more efficient and effective,” Salina Supervisor Colleen Gunnip said in a statement.

The Salina Town Board voted earlier this year to eliminate the position. Since tax receiver was an elected office, the town board’s resolution was subject to a mandatory referendum.

Alicia MacCollum, who held the position for 23 years, retired in April.

Salina will save about $100,000 per year with the elimination of the tax receiver office. Gunnip said in June that the current deputy tax receiver will become a deputy clerk and no one in town hall will lose their job. The town will look for seasonal employees to assist Town Clerk Jeannie Ventre with tax duties in the fall.

The town clerk’s office will assume the duties of tax collection. The town clerk’s office has four full-time staff members and will have two seasonal employees to assist with tax collection. In Salina, town clerk has been an appointed position since 1933.

The Aug. 13 referendum in Salina was the Onondaga County Board of Elections’ first opportunity to test its new electronic poll pads, which replaces poll books as the way for voters to sign in and print their ballots. All Onondaga County voters will sign in with the new poll pads for the general election this fall, but visitors to the New York State Fair can test the system with a sample ballot and vote on their favorite fair attractions and treats.