East Greenbush looking at 1.5% property tax hike
Two people would be hired for park, sidewalk efforts
The town expects to see non-property tax revenues jump 6 percent in the proposed 2022 budget of $21.06 million that increases spending by 3 percent.
Supervisor Jack Conway said the tentative budget handed to the Town Board Monday night continues to be conservative in revenue projections while adding some needed services.
The town’s sales tax revenues are forecast to rise about 16 percent to $2,555,000 next year. The sales tax accounts for much of the town’s estimated revenue increase. Conway said Rensselaer County’s projections look toward higher sales tax revenues but the town will stick to a lower number.
The budget proposal also calls for a property tax increase of 1.5 percent. The town increases are below the state property tax cap.
The town plans to expand add two employees to the public works department, Conway said. One will be assigned to the town park which is seeing increased use as the town has expanded the facilities. The second employee will work on the growing network of sidewalks, especially along Columbia Turnpike where the town and state have invested to improve walkability.
The budget also includes the consolidation of the town’s four sewer districts — Hampton Manor, Couse, Third Avenue and General — into a single district.
The town also will maintain the Empire State Trail, continuing work on the Hampton Lake Loop project, provide $10,000 in assistance to the Greenbush Cemetery, update its comprehensive plan, zoning map and GEIS document and allocate $538,500 for paving.
Conway said the town must continue to work on improving its streets. The town would like to direct some of $828,000 in federal American Recovery Plan Act funds toward highway improvements, but it is waiting for rulings on approved expenditures. The town has not included the federal funds in the proposed 2022 budget.