Pine Plains approves 2026 budget

PINE PLAINS — Members of the Town Board approved the 2026 Town Budget at the regular Thursday meeting on Nov. 20.

The increase to the Pine Plains Free Library revenue was the only change since the public hearing on Nov. 6.

Of the biggest line item increases was the sidewalk budget — which climbed to $30,000 from $4,000 in last year’s budget in anticipation of a sidewalk overhaul through downtown Pine Plains.

Overall, budgeted expenses for the town government increased 4% compared to the 2025 Town Budget.

Board members followed the budget approval with a discussion of the new Town Hall. LaBella engineers presented early conceptual drawings of the Town Hall at an October meeting of the Town Board. Board members expressed satisfaction with the preliminary plans, but board member Jeanine Sisco pressed for extended discussions of the interior plans.

“I think the outside design looks good,” Sisco said. “I think that the interior — there should be some discussion about space utilization.”

Supervisor Brian Walsh set a public forum for community feedback on the plans for Thursday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. The forum will be hosted at the Pine Plains Community Center on Route 82.

Town Attorney Warren Replansky led the meeting with a brief discussion of short-term rental laws. He said he sent members of the town board example local laws from Rhinebeck, New York, and Pleasant Valley, New York.

Highway Superintendent Carl Baden said in his report the town’s Kubota tractor was in disrepair and needed replacement. The Town Board voted to sell the old tractor and Supervisor Brian Walsh asked Baden to assemble specifications for a New Holland tractor to replace it. Baden estimated a purchase price of $200,000 for the tractor.