By Liz Page
BLOOMVILLE – Members of the Kortright Town Board set a hearing on the budget proposal for October 20 at 7:30 p.m. after approving the preliminary figures on Monday night.
The 2026 budget will remain within the state's allowable tax cap, according to Kortright Supervisor George Haynes.
There are few changes in the budget, with insurance up $4,000 in the General budget. Highway will see some additional revenue from the sale of excess materials up from $2,500 to $40,000 to help offset increases as well as $140,137 in appropriated fund balance. Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funds remain the same. Repairs are up $10,000 along with personal services and snow removal. The town has budgeted $220,000 for another used truck from the town of Cazenovia. The water district budget has few changes with a possible increase in water rates.
The sewer budget was presented by Mike Cairns and is up 5.4 percent over the current budget. There was a change in the testing laboratories for sampling analysis which increased that item and operation and maintenance portion by 8 percent to catch up with the other districts. Insurance also increased by $2,000 and there is a 5 percent increase for the bookkeeper and clerk. The new residential water meters are expected to reduce costs significantly, said Cairns.
Board members approved the figures and moved to set the public hearing for next month.
The town is preparing for paving at the county's sand shed, with everything prepped. Depending on the exact costs, board members approved paving the town's additional portion, up to $15,000. The town is paying for the materials and it was the consensus of the board that it made sense to do it while the paving machine is here.
Bloomville water district residents are being asked to conserve water. The spring that feeds the system is no longer keeping up with the demand and the town switched over to the well recently.
Supervisor Haynes announced a new service will be going in on Main St. and the property's owner, Deborah Mierop, was present to question why the service wasn't installed and they will now have to dig up the sidewalk to reach the curb stop. It was explained that at the time the water system was created, not everyone wished to hook into the water system. Curb stops were installed at each location, but no lines were hooked in for those opting out of the service. Despite not utilizing water from the system, each property is charged for the curb stop. Although she believed it was a serious error, town officials assured her that is how it was set up. She will have water, but she must wait for a contractor to come and install the proper plumbing from the curb stop to the building.
Board members gave their approval for Heather Smith to do some fundraising to purchase a new merry-go-round for the playground area near the former Bloomville school.
The discussion then turned to the playground and a recent inspection by NYMIR, the town's insurance carrier. The report made several suggestions and the playground was on that list. Supervisor Haynes said there was nothing major but they are making recommendations. That included the surface under the playground items and recommended something other than the wood chips. They noted the slides are outdated and there is a gap on one of the slides. Supervisors Haynes said he would turn those suggestions over to John Rockefeller and the Bloomville Pride Committee.
The town will also get a flash guard for the highway garage welding equipment and utilize the LENS system to keep track of drivers' driving records, as recommended by NYMIR.
Larry Soules was appointed to a six-year term as town assessor and Diane Lutz was appointed to a one year term as assistant assessor. The two are switching places.
The next town board meeting and public hearing on the budget will be held Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m..
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