Amenia residents call for budget cuts

AMENIA — Concern about the current economic environment was evident as residents offered comments on the proposed 2027 budget during an Amenia Town Board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5.

The 2027 preliminary budget shows total appropriations of $3,769,844 for the General Fund and $1,577,643 for the Highway Fund, a total of $5,347,487, amounting to an increase in tax rate over 2026 of 23.31% for General Fund and a decrease of 0.34% for Highway Fund.

Once expected revenues are applied, the General Fund total is reduced to $2,349,125 and the Highway Fund to $891,491, for a total of $3,240,616 that will need to be raised by taxes, an increase of $403,315 over the current year.

“Everyone needs to deal with affordability,” said resident Ken Topolsky, citing increases in gas prices compared with the previous year as one example. Most residents who commented said that they agreed with Topolsky’s stance.

“With money in short supply,” Topolsky said, “perhaps an austere budget is in order. Do we really need a $15,000 Harvest Festival expense?” Topolsky had initiated the town-wide celebration in 2025 and continued to serve as organizer for its second year in October. Having experienced lagging community engagement and a smaller number of volunteers, Topolsky suggested that the festival might skip a year.

“Maybe in two years, we’ll have a surplus,” Topolsky said, suggesting that this year, each department should come up with an “austerity budget” for the good of the town.

Resident Kim Travis agreed with Topolsky, opposed to raising taxes in the midst of an affordability crisis.

“Spend tax dollars on things to improve local life,” Travis said.

“There are plenty of things to cut back on,” said resident Judy Moran, also agreeing with Topolsky. “We have to make tough choices.”

Rising again to speak, Topolsky praised the town officials for the weeks of effort to create the budget.

“None of this is of your making,” Topolsky told the board. “Dealing with budgets is miserable work.”

Speaking of the value of recording public meetings, resident Kenny Merritt urged that funding remain in the budget to support the costs of live broadcasting and taping of town board and committee meeting. He also urged that funding for the summer camp program be continued for its value to local residents as a form of summer day care.

Describing the significant number of residents who use the rail trail for recreation, resident Wanda Rozelle, who resides near the trail system, urged the Town Board to keep the trail cleared and safe for use year-round.

A resolution passed by unanimous vote to approve an override on the 2% tax cap for the coming year as established by the State Comptroller’s Office. The cap is equal to the inflation rate. The board had determined that expenses were anticipated to increase while revenues are not expected to keep pace, necessitating the override.

“If you need to override the cap, you need to override the cap,” was a comment from Judy Moran, the only comment offered on the issue.

Sidewalk Snow Removal

The annual contract for sidewalk snow removal was awarded to Kindred Property Care of Millerton, the sole bidder on the project. The bid was $40,910.