Approval Given To The
2016 Grafton Town Budget
Despite Changes A 0% Spending Increase Is Maintained
By Doug La Rocque
By the same 3-2 margin the Grafton Town Board used to make changes to Supervisor Frank Higgins’s proposed budget at last week’s regular Town Board Meeting, the Board turned the 2016 preliminary budget into the final spending plan. [private]The vote was held at a special meeting immediately following a public hearing at which no members of the community spoke. There was discussion however, between Councilman Rick Ungaro and Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck, concerning a lack of any pay raise for members of the Highway Department. Ungaro felt that if more money could be found for functions like the Community Library and the Historical Society’s Festival of Trees, money could also have been allocated for pay raises for the town workers. Superintendent Hasbrouck explained he felt his hands were tied by the 0.7% cap on spending and the significant increases in both health care and retirement contributions. Councilman Ungaro is leaving the Board at the end of the year, having chosen not to seek re-election. He urged the incoming Board to look over the budget to see if money for small raises could be found. Councilwoman Ingrid Gundrum, who is also Supervisor-Elect, made a motion to adopt the budget, and Councilman Ungaro seconded. They were joined in their support of the plan by Councilman Mike Crandall. Supervisor Higgins and Councilwoman Barb Messenger voted no.
The approved budget keeps total town spending at the same level as last year. General Fund appropriations actually decreased by 6.4% while Highway Funding increased by 2.2%. Another factor that affects the overall budget and the town’s tax rate is the Grafton Fire District Budget, over which the town has no control. The Fire Commissioners however, joined the Town in keeping spending at 2015 levels.[/private]