At its Oct. 16 meeting, the Ancram Town Board moved closer to adopting a 2026 budget that holds the line on property taxes and sustains key community projects. No public objections were raised during the hearing that preceded the session.
The $930,000 general fund and $1.2 million highway fund budgets both break even, with property taxes remaining just under $700,000 — unchanged from 2025. Budget Officer Steve Olyha outlined the plan, highlighting a projected year-end unrestricted fund balance of $1.4 million, which allows the town to avoid raising taxes.
Olyha noted that the budget does not include a requested $18,000 increase for the Roe-Jan Community Library, which is the subject of a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot. He added that it does fund $35,000 for the new Blass Field pavilion, reduces an unspent $35,000 affordable housing line to $5,000, and raises the Supervisor’s salary from $5,700 to $15,000. All town employees will receive 3% cost-of-living increases, with higher insurance and website maintenance costs also anticipated.
Olyha said that federal pandemic relief funds previously covered $13,000 in annual support for the Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors Association (ANHNA). With that money gone, he proposed a new $10,000 line item. “If you used to need $13,000, how are you going to manage on $10,000?” board member David Boice asked ANHNA President Jack Lindsey, who replied, “We are grateful for anything we can get. I’ll get out and pass my tin cup.”
Supervisor Jim MacArthur responded, “I don’t want a raise. I’ll skip the $10,000 raise for the Supervisor and give it to Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” drawing applause from attendees. Boice added, “I know I’ll be here in 2026, and I’ll give back the [Town Board raise] money to Neighbors, too.”
Board member Bonnie Hundt said, “I don’t want the raise, but we should be mindful of the future. Ancram is at the bottom of the list of Columbia County towns in board comp. It’s not about us, it’s about who comes next.” Colleen Lutz, also running for Supervisor, agreed: “None of us does this for the money. If I am elected Supervisor, I would give the money to Neighbors, too. But we need to try to attract more, younger people to serve.”
Boice questioned the $35,000 pavilion line, and Lutz explained it would fund electrical work. “We are seeking at least three bids; we have one and it’s for $31,000,” she said.
Lutz, who serves on the Roe-Jan Community Library board, also explained the library’s request for an additional $18,000. “We have generous private donors, but the library is like public schools and the fire department — it needs public support,” she said. The proposed increase would restore towns’ contributions to 45% of the library’s budget, or about $9 per $100,000 of property value. The decision will appear as Proposition 2 on the ballot. (Early voting began on Oct. 25 and runs through Nov. 2.)
School Consolidation Discussion
Pine Plains Central School District Superintendent Brian Timm updated the board on the district’s consideration of consolidating its three schools into two amid declining enrollment — from 1,420 students in 2003–04 to 783 in 2023–24. He warned of potential state funding reductions. “We feel that a $4 million gap could not be covered by taxpayers,” Timm said. Lutz encouraged leasing rather than selling any closed buildings to preserve flexibility if enrollment rebounds.
Other Town Business
The board discussed lowering the pavilion’s occupancy from 130 to 75, setting hours from sunrise to sunset, and requiring permits for groups of 25 or more. Resident and artist Santina Tirone presented a painting of the pavilion that will hang in Town Hall.
Board member Amy Gold reported on a survey showing residents most frequently use the town website to access meeting minutes, regulations, and contact information. Three firms are being considered for website upgrades.
The board also approved Wagner Hodgson, a Hudson-based landscape firm, as a consultant for the Planning Board’s review of a proposed solar array off Route 82. “The applicant will pay for a professional analysis of the tree planting plan and post a bond for maintenance,” said Planning Board Vice Chair Erin Robertson.
Additional resolutions included adoption of the Columbia County multijurisdiction hazard plan and appointment of Tom Ciano as Vice Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council. A public hearing on the final 2026 budget is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 20, before the next board meeting.