Amenia Town Board schedules 2025 budget hearing for Nov. 7

Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.

Photo by John Coston

Amenia Town Board schedules 2025 budget hearing for Nov. 7

AMENIA — Following continuing discussion on the details of the 2025 Preliminary Budget proposal, the Town Board at its meeting on Thursday, Oct. 17, voted unanimously to schedule the annual public hearing for Thursday, Nov. 7, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.

Under town law, the public hearing must be scheduled for the first Thursday following the general election that will occur on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The town is required to adopt its final budget for 2025 on or before Wednesday, Nov. 20.

To view the preliminary 2025 budget in advance of the public hearing, go to www.ameniany.gov.

Explaining the impact on the local mill rate, Director of Finance Charlie Miller reported that a tentative rate for 2025 would be 2.10262 mills, with all proposed revisions taken into account from previous budget review sessions conducted by the Town Board. The 2024 rate was 1.93296. The increase in the mill rate amounts to 8.8%.

The increase is largely driven by the substantial effect of projected increase in cost for ambulance service, Miller said, although noting that negotiations are ongoing. The projected debt service for the new town garage is already included in the budget, Miller said.

Brief discussion centered on the Building Department’s request for a town vehicle for use by the Building Inspector, who now uses his personal vehicle for his official duties. The question was whether the vehicle presents a sufficient benefit to the town’s residents.

Councilman Paul Winters felt that the vehicle use could be scheduled in such a way as to produce revenue for the town in increased regulation enforcement. As the board thought it would be useful to hear Councilman Brad Rebillard’s opinion on the issue, and as he was absent from the meeting, further discussion was postponed.

Latest News

Classifieds 11/21/24

Help Wanted

Daycare Teacher - Undermountain Child Care Center: Now hiring a Floater/Toddler teacher position at Undermountain Child Care Center on the campus of Berkshire School, Monday through Friday. Experience is preferred, but we are willing to train the right person. Teacher certification a plus but not required. CORI and other background checks required. Submit resume and letter of interest to Tammy Wysocki, Director of UMCC, Berkshire School. twysocki@berkshireschool.org. Phone: 413-229-1850.

Full Time Universal Banker: Responsible for generating business and deepening customer relationships. Must possess strong customer service and sales skills and be detail oriented. Previous cash handling experience is important. Responsible to adhere to policies, procedures, and ensure operational soundness. Must have full working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Must be able to work extended hours and must work Saturdays. Competitive wages and incentive programs. Apply in person at the Lakeville office of Litchfield Bancorp, A Division of Northwest Community Bank, 326 Main Street, Lakeville. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V.

Keep ReadingShow less
Thomas Francis Cahill

MILLERTON­ — Thomas Francis Cahill, Jr., 79, a twenty-five year resident of Millerton, formerly of Carmel, New York, died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. Mr. Cahill was a retired audio engineer having worked for a number of well-known recording studios and professional audio facilities throughout his long career in the music industry.

Born Sept. 30, 1945, in Bronx, New York, he was the son of the late Thomas F., Sr., and Virginia (McQueston) Cahill. Following his graduation from high school, he attended Bronx Community College where he received an A.A.S in Electrical Engineering. On Sept. 26, 1970, in Immaculate Conception Church in the Bronx, he married the love of his life, Sarah Bellantoni. Mrs. Cahill survives in Millerton. Tom was a passionate record collector and loved listening to music; he was also an avid Lionel model train enthusiast in his spare time. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and many dear friends.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carmen Patricia Petty

DOVER PLAINS — Carmen Patricia Petty, 63, a lifelong area resident, died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at Sharon Hospital. Carmen was a beloved school bus driver for nearly two decades, finishing her career with First Student Transportation in Millbrook, New York.

Her dedication and professionalism, along with an excellent safety record while driving, allowed her the opportunity to transport children with very special needs everyday throughout her career. Her “kids” loved her and she loved each and every one of them.

Keep ReadingShow less
Searching for Bigfoot

Mike Familant of Sussex, New Jersey, has collected casts of suspected Bigfoot prints from dozens of sights since he began researching the cryptid in 2011.

Nathan Miller

A group of nearly 30 squatchers and skeptics gathered at David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village Thursday evening, Nov. 7, for a presentation from Bigfoot researcher Mike Familant.

Familant is the Bigfoot fanatic behind “In the Shadow of Big Red Eye,” a weekly show he produces to document his hunt for Bigfoot in the Eastern U.S.

Keep ReadingShow less