Public Hearing November 10, 2005 on the proposed 2006 town budget.

Present Council-members Carlson, Frisbee, Pneuman, Potter, Supervisor Merrihew and Attorney for the town Siegel. Supervisor Merrihew called the hearing to order at 7:25PM followed by the pledge to the flag.

Supervisor Merrihew gave an overview of the preparation of the 2006 budget. Letters were sent in July requesting needs of all departments and organizations. September- Deadline for return of all requests followed by a meeting with department heads to discuss their requests. Budget upon receipt of the Supervisor's budget, town board reviews and holds a budget workshop. Five longs hours was spent going over the budget line by line to see where items could be decreased or increased. The board was able to lower the 57% increase to approximately 40%. It is her belief that this is a realistic budget that will provide for the needs of the community as a whole. It is a progressive budget that takes into account the development pressures that will mold the future of the town.

Supervisor Merrihew read the legal notice as published in the Gazette Newspapers on November5, 2005. Notice also published on the Clerks bulletin board.

Floor opened to any comments on the proposed budget.

George Lent - Duanesburg Road - Sees the town board is in for a raise. Supervisor Merrihew - Said they were in for 3%.

George commented on the line item for sewer clerk, asked who it is? Supervisor Merrihew - That would be the bookkeeper Cheryl Lennox that is an item that comes out of the Sewer District budget that gets put into this budget to cover the cost of bookkeeping for the sewer district, because the sewer district is a benefit district and any of the cost related has to come from that budget.

Mr. Lent - This state is the highest taxed state in the union. Where is this going to end, when is the towns and cities going to act like a business? A lot of people are on a fixed income.

Walt Deay - Duanesburg Church Rd.- thinks the highway is getting a little too much money.

No other comments floor closed at 7:35PM. Council-member Carlson motioned seconded by Council-member Frisbee to adjourn, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted, Leah M. Lennon, Town Clerk