The budget features a five-cent increase per $1,000 of assessed property, the first hike in the town-wide tax rate since 2015. The rate will now be $3.98 per $1,000 assessed.

“A lot of the concern as that we had to raise a little on all of our lines for part-time help because we’re mandated to increase the minimum wage,” Pomfret Supervisor Don Steger told the board. In addition, insurance costs are also up, he added.

The town wound up more than $25,000 under its tax cap, Steger said. Overall, he pronounced himself “very pleased with the process” of putting together the budget. “It’s a lot of number-crunching and juggling,” he noted, later adding, “We have to be concerned with unexpended fund balances.”

The board will vote on the budget at its next regular meeting, set for Wednesday.

In other business, Steger announced the town has a preliminary agreement with the Fredonia Fire Department to continue its contract for coverage of the town outside of the village of Fredonia. The only non-Fredonia part of Pomfret not covered by the deal is Lily Dale, which has its own fire company.

The board will schedule a public hearing on the contract at its Wednesday meeting and should be set to vote on the pact at its December meeting, Steger said.

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