ELLINGTON - A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at Town Hall regarding a preliminary budget that may carry a 2.3 percent increase in the amount to be raised by taxes.
Supervisor Laura Cronk said the Town Board set the hearing for the budget during a recent meeting. She said, however, the tax levy remains "in limbo" until after elections, as board members are debating salaries if a new highway supervisor is elected instead of paying the current one's salary, which reflects 28 years of employment with the town.
The highway superintendent's race sees incumbent Conservative and Independence candidate Casey P. Rhinehart facing Democrat and Working Families candidate Dennis J. Colvenback and Republican Troy J. Everetts.
Board members therefore approved overriding the state's 2 percent property tax cap in case it is needed, although the spending plan may come in under that.
Currently the tax levy, or amount to be raised by taxes, stands at about $722,331.50, with expenditures at $1,108,481 and revenues at $313,150.
In other news, the board voted to purchase five portable steel pieces of skateboard equipment that will be put on the black-topped area of the town park for $5,000. Ms.?Cronk said the equipment can be moved if necessary.
She said youth have expressed interest in the skateboard equipment and have been using home-made or plastic ones. Ms. Cronk said purchasing it is an attempt at providing quality recreation for youth and may be a way to address ongoing vandalism at the park.
The equipment is being ordered, but Ms. Cronk is uncertain of exact dates for when it will arrive and be installed.