Credit: Patrick Grego
At the Oct. 17 Ancram Town Board meeting, budget officer Steve Olyha presented the town’s proposed 2025 budget, which notably avoids a property tax increase despite rising insurance and personnel costs. The $1.9 million preliminary budget balances projected revenue with expenses, leaving no deficit, according to Olyha.
General revenue is expected to reach approximately $660,000, driven largely by county sales tax and building permit fees. However, a slight decline is anticipated in revenue from mortgage taxes and interest on treasury bills. The highway department is projected to bring in $430,000, primarily through state reimbursements via the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs). The town will also draw just over $100,000 from its cash reserves, with property taxes contributing more than $700,000.
Modest adjustments from the 2024 budget include increased costs for both liability and healthcare insurance, increased hours for the court clerk, and reduced hours for the zoning and planning board clerk, with the changes calculated in advance by the newly hired clerk and respective board chairs. Wages for town employees will increase by 3%, in line with inflation, though Town Supervisor Jim MacArthur declined a raise, stating, “I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing it for Ancram.”
Olyha noted that the 2025 budget does not include major capital expenditures for the highway department, though funds for a new truck and mower may roll over from 2024, pending delivery. He committed to providing an updated projection of the town’s cash reserves for both year-end 2024 and 2025 at the November board meeting.
During the board’s workshop, member Amy Gold highlighted the arrival of an 80-page report from Albany-based engineering firm GPI, offering recommendations for improvements at the intersection of Route 7 and Route 82. The report is available on the town website, with paper copies at Town Hall. A review of the recommendations is scheduled for Nov. 14, and GPI representatives will be invited to attend.
Gold also raised the issue of Columbia County’s new effort to impose a short-term rental (STR) tax, which will be managed by Granicus, a national government services firm. Under the proposed system, 70% of STR tax revenue will go to the county, with the remaining 30% allocated to towns. Supervisor MacArthur plans to ensure that Ancram complies with the initiative.
Repairs to the Town Hall roof were also discussed, following a leak attributed to moss buildup under the solar panels. MacArthur is seeking quotes from contractors and expects to present the repair estimates at the November meeting.
The Highway Department’s seasonal preparations are underway, including driveway repairs along newly paved sections of Lake Shore Drive. Speed limit signs for the area have been ordered, and the county has forwarded the request to the state for approval.
Board member Colleen Lutz reported on preliminary talks led by State Senator Michelle Hinchey regarding the possible creation of a public utility, the Hudson Valley Power Authority, which could replace Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. Additionally, Board member Bonnie Hundt announced that grants of up to $125,000 are available for homeowners wishing to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Further details will be provided at an information session on Nov. 2 at the Roe-Jan Library. Hundt also said the town is seeking a $125,000 grant from State Assemblywoman Didi Barrett to fund improvements at Blass Field, including the addition of a pavilion, pickleball courts, and upgrades to the baseball field and basketball court.
The board unanimously approved several resolutions, including scheduling a public hearing on Nov. 14 to finalize the 2025 budget ahead of the county’s Nov. 20 deadline. Other resolutions authorized a $140,000 chargeback agreement with the Community Rescue Squad, reflecting a 4% increase from 2024, and sent a draft noise ordinance to town counsel for review.
For the first time in months, no public comments were made at either the start or conclusion of the meeting.
The next Town Board meeting will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14, beginning with a public workshop at 6:00 p.m., followed by a public hearing at 6:30 p.m., and the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.