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HANOVER -- The first look at the Town of Hanover budget for the fiscal year 2027 showed a very minimal increase from a year ago. Elmar Kiefer, Town of Hanover Accountant, presented the town's 2027 preliminary budget at a recent public hearing.
Overall, Kiefer stated the increase to the tax rate in the town for 2027 will be "very, very little", amounting to roughly one quarter of one percent.
Kiefer stated that increases will be seen in special districts, such as water districts and lighting districts. When it comes to the general fund and the highway department budgets, Kiefer said the tax rate will be $3.27 per thousand, just as it was a year ago.
"We are going to maintain the same rate," Kiefer said. "We are not increasing the tax rate in our operating funds."
Kiefer highlighted several line items where the town has felt a major increase, including electricity costs that are "going right through the roof", in some cases more than doubling from costs in recent years. He also noted 10-11% retirement costs, health insurance costs, and employee wages among other increases.
To combat those increases, the Town is relying on added revenue from investments, as well as applying unused funds in the budget directly to the tax levy to lessen the burden on taxpayers.
Kiefer said that he was caught off guard by Fire Protection District No. 2 costs a year ago, as a lot of the assessed value in the district was reassigned to the Bay Creek Fire District. That last-minute adjustment resulted in a dramatic change. Kiefer expected a reduction from $1.37 per thousand to $1.07 per thousand in the district, but instead, the rate jumped to $2.46 per thousand. This year, Kiefer made reductions to costs in Fire Protection District No. 2 to lower the cost to $0.83 per thousand to make up for last year's drastic jump.
After discussion, the Town Board elected to hold off on approving the 2027 budget to allow for more discussion. Board members Ed Schintzius, Aimee Rogers, and James Feldmann voted to table the budget until the next meeting. Supervisor Lou Pelletter voted against that resolution, and Bernie Feldmann was excused from the meeting.
Also of note, the Town Board received estimates from Nussbaumer and Clarke, Inc., for water main replacements in Sunset Bay and Hanford Bay. Pelletter also spoke with Municipal Solutions about seeking grant funding for water main replacements, and a request was made for emergency assistance from Congressman Nick Langworthy's office pertaining to water main replacements in Hanford Bay.
The Board also heard a resident's request to extend the Town's water district to serve his residence. Pelletter initially rejected the request, but after further discussion, he vowed to discuss the matter further with the Water and Sewer Department.
The Town Clerk's Office collected $4,421 in revenue during the month of September, stemming from 913 State Department of Environmental Conservation licenses, tags and permits issued, along with 44 dog licenses, 13 handicap tags, and six marriage licenses.
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reported 313 deputy responses during September. The Town Justice Court generated $13,539 in revenue during September, stemming from 187 vehicle and traffic law, one Civil Law, one Penal Law, and two Environmental Law cases. The Code Enforcement Office issued 23 permits in September, with 18 of the 23 permits from the Town of Hanover, totaling $1,520 in revenue for the town.
An agreement with General Code for codification services was approved at a cost of $18,373, plus an annual fee of $1,895 for trackback and yearly maintenance. The cost does not include codification of new legislation.
The Town Board approved a $375 payment to veterans organizations in honor of Veterans Day, including Hanover Memorials Post 148, AMVETS Post 6472, Samuel Cimino VFW Post No. 6472, and J. Carter Knapp American Legion Post No. 953.
The Town Board also approved an agreement with TJ's Lawncare and Property Maintenance for a retaining wall for the Veterans Memorial at a cost not to exceed $10,307.60.
Zoning Board of Appeals members Shawn Smith, Dana Bennett, William Kraft, Carol Woodward, and Kim Woodward are authorized to attend training in Lakewood on Nov. 4 at a cost of $25 per person, with registration and mileage expenses covered by the Town.
The next meeting of the Hanover Town Board will be today at 7 p.m. at the Hanover Town Hall.