TOWN OF STAFFORD
PUBLIC HEARING FOR 2025 BUDGET
NOVEMBER 11, 2024 DRAFT
Supervisor Clement opened the Public Hearing for the 2025 Budget at 7:00pm with the Pledge of Allegiance then read the Public Hearing Notice; in attendance were Councilman Panek, Councilman Young, Councilman Duyssen, Councilman Pacer, Highway Superintendent Boldt, Town Clerk Radley.
Also attending were Bob Penepent, Cathy Worthington, Matt Perry, Gary and Linda Snell, Brian Quinn, James Pontillo, Laura Pontillo.
The Budget of 2025 was discussed; Gary Snell had concerns about the Fire Department. There is one more truck to be replaced in 2026 and they are saving for it now. They are also running in a deficit and will review the finances in August to prepare for next year. It was told that the Social Members are responsible for fundraising because the Active Firemen are required to perform so much training that the fundraising is too much for them.
Judge Penepent asked why the Court Clerk’s pay was cut further than anticipated. He stated that the first Clerk was cut previously from 37 hours to 31 hours and the security was cut back as well. The Deputy Clerk was scheduled to be cut from 31 hours to 20 hours as far as he knew, then he saw that she was cut to 10 hours without his knowledge. There was a compromise of cutting the salary to 15 hours per week.
Cathy Worthington asked a few questions.
Other questions were asked as well. The total amount to be raised by taxes is $375,000.00 resulting in a tax rate of $1.83 per thousand for 2025 with a total of $3.49 per thousand dollars of assessed value.
The Public Hearing closed at 7:45pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Radley
Town Clerk/Tax Collector