The Stanford Town Board approved a resolution at its Sept. 10 meeting allowing the town to exceed New York state’s property tax levy cap as officials prepare a 2027 budget that could include significant increases in several essential services.
Under state law, annual growth in the property tax levy is generally limited to 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. The state comptroller’s office calculated an inflation factor of 3.13% for 2027, meaning the cap remains at 2%.
According to Supervisor Julia Descoteaux, the town is projected to face between $147,500 and $162,500 in additional costs in 2027.
That includes a $92,000 increase for emergency medical services, an additional $15,000 to $20,000 for employee health insurance, a $30,000 to $40,000 increase in transfer station costs, and a roughly $10,500 increase in fuel costs for the Highway Department.
“I want to emphasize that taking this step is precautionary,” Descoteaux said. “It gives the town board flexibility while we develop the budget. It does not mean that we will ultimately need to exceed the cap.”
No members of the public spoke during a public hearing on the measure, which the board approved unanimously.
Descoteaux also reported that she had been in communication with Empress Emergency Medical Services regarding the town’s contract for next year.
“That contract is worth to them approximately $943,000,” Descoteaux said. “I was able to negotiate that cost down today to $860,000 on a month to month basis for the full year. Regional consolidation, however, could potentially bring Stanford’s annual cost into the range of approximately $600,000 to $700,000, which is why we continue to take this option very seriously.”
The board also introduced a resolution to extend the town’s moratorium on battery energy storage systems for an additional year.
A one-year moratorium on large-scale battery storage projects and wind energy conversion systems was originally adopted in 2024 and extended in 2025. The moratorium does not apply to electric vehicle charging stations or battery systems serving single-family homes.
Descoteaux said she recently attended a New York Association of Town Supervisors meeting where members discussed pending state legislation establishing safety standards for the systems.
“We don’t want to put anything in place until we have a very, very clear set of definitions from the state in terms of safety standards and technologies and how these things are defined,” Descoteaux said.
A public hearing on extending the moratorium is scheduled for the board’s next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
Before the hearing, the town’s Water Quality Committee will host a free workshop on drinking water protection and well maintenance from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
The board also appointed two new members, Carlos Parreira and Stephen Feline, to the town’s Climate Smart Communities Task Force and approved the creation of a volunteer Waste Reduction Subcommittee.
Kathy Walton, Lisa Sabatini and Ryan Dowd were appointed to the new subcommittee. Descoteaux said the group will examine potential revenue sources, including collecting scrap metal and bottles for resale, and explore how a self-haulage system at the transfer station could work.
The board appointed Sharlene Sisco as the town’s new court clerk.
Descoteaux also reminded residents that the board is considering creating a Pedestrian and Road Safety Committee and plans to apply for a Dutchess County Transportation Council grant focused on pedestrian and roadway safety.
If awarded, the grant would provide professional planning resources aimed at making the town center safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Residents interested in serving on the committee may submit a letter of interest to Descoteaux at jdescoteaux@stanfordny.gov.
The board also approved a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with Animal Farm Foundation, a nonprofit animal rescue organization based in Stanfordville.
As a nonprofit, the organization is exempt from property taxes. Under the new agreement, however, it will contribute $1,800 annually to the town, with the payment increasing 3% each year.