Amenia announces public hearing for 2012 budget

AMENIA — The Amenia Town Board held a series of special meetings at the end of September with all of the town departments and to budget for 2012.A public hearing regarding the budget will be held on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend to ask questions or voice their opinions about the proposed 2012 town budget.“Due to the 2 percent tax cap and concern for the Amenia taxpayers, I asked all departments to look for savings for the 2012 budget,” said town Supervisor Wayne Euvrard, who will not be returning as supervisor next year. “Overall, the 2012 tentative budget will have a 0 percent increase.”Euvrard said the departments were very cooperative when he told them that budget lines needed to be trimmed.“For 2012, all departments have decreased,” he said. “Recreation has the largest decrease of over $10,000 by the elimination of town trips. The Ethics Board was decreased by $2,350 since we adopted the new ethics law, and our Town Hall supply line decreased over $2,000.”No one working for the town received a salary raise.“The only increase for 2012 is in the highway fund with the purchase of new equipment, but this increase is covered by the fund balance,” said Euvrard.There was debate about whether the Highway Department should buy two trucks, and if so, whether the trucks should be bought outright or if the payments should be spread out over several years to keep the tax levy low.Town Board member Vicki Doyle said it was decided that if Highway Superintendent Stanley Whitehead could purchase the trucks without pushing the budget over the 2 percent cap, the truck purchases would be allowed.The budget lines for training and continuing education were also reduced. There are stricter rules on whether the training will be reimbursed if there are cheaper or more local options.Anyone wishing to look over the proposed budget can receive a copy at Town Hall.