At an Oct. 13 workshop, the Town Board accepted a preliminary budget that is under the tax levy cap. The board will hold a public hearing on the budget at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7. Copies are available in the Town Clerk’s office.
-In other news, the board extended COVAC’s contract until the end of the year. The supervisor and deputy supervisor had submitted a proposal to the ambulance corps, where it would become independent on June 1, 2017.
-The DEC extended the schedule for the upgrade of the sewer treatment plant. Phase I is now due to be complete by October 2018. The Town has authorized the engineering for Phase II although the actual project won’t begin for several years. The early start may help the town receive grants or low-interest financing.
-On Oct. 18, Deputy Supervisor Helen Bunt attended a meeting of the coalition that opposes Kiryas Joel’s annexation plans. Supreme Court Justice Gretchen Walsh upheld the annexation and ruled that non-neighboring municipalities are not eligible to appeal. Kiryas Joel’s use of its well on Route 32 in Mountainville is a separate issue.
-Supervisor Dick Randazzo has replaced Michael Summerfield as the Town Board liaison to the Economic Development Committee. Mr. Randazzo cited two reasons for the change — he’s in town every day and he has access to the resources the committee needs.
-On holidays, when Chamber of Commerce members put out their American flags, there will also be a flag on display at Chadeayne Circle. The chamber got permission to put a sleeve in the ground so a flag can be put up for the day.
-The Town has changed brokers for its Workers Compensation policy and hopes to reduce costs by up to 2.5 percent.
-The Town is working with Russell Budd to look for grant money or low-interest loans to upgrade its inflow and infiltration system.