Public silent at budget hearing

By Dan King

Plenty of people attended the public hearing on the proposed Whitehall village budget last Monday, but nobody voiced an opinion.

The budget, passed unanimously by the Board of Trustees, will increase taxes by 1.4 percent. The village will raise $1,670,526.24 in taxes, $27,123.53 more than last year.

That raises the tax rate from $18.47 per $1,000 of assessed value to $18.72 per $1,000 of assessed value. Residents’ taxes will increase by 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, so for example, a house valued at $100,000 will see a tax increase of $25.

Estimated revenue is projected to be down $3,214.66 for the coming year.

“I think it’s a good budget,” said Mayor Ken Bartholomew.

Bartholomew waited for residents to bring up questions about the spending plan, but nobody did so.

“I don’t want to make it seem like we’re rushing to get this thing passed,” Bartholomew jested.

Water and sewer rates are also set to slightly increase in the upcoming fiscal year. The minimum usage of water in the village is 6,000 gallons, which costs $5.24 per year with the new budget.

For emergency expenses, the village will keep a $90,000 fund balance, according the budget sheet.

Village officials acknowledge that some rather hefty expenses are on the forefront for the municipality, including finishing touches on the Poultney Street Bridge project, which will see the walkway redone and a new coat of paint put on; and the village’s ongoing sewer project, which is seen to cost about $24 million in the long haul. Thus far, the village has secured nearly $3 million in grants to help get the sewer project started.