Town budget calls for spending hike; hearing set for next week

Town of Port Washington officials were to meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, to put the finishing touches on the proposed 2022 budget.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15. After the hearing, residents will vote on the proposed tax levy and then the Town Board will take action on the proposed budget.

A preliminary budget shows the town budget increasing 9.8%, from $693,000 to $705,000.

Town Chairman Mike Didier said that one big change to the budget is that the town will make the last payment on the two properties east of Town Hall that it bought in 2018.

However, the town is preparing to build a new shelter for its recycling and garbage collection operation on the parcel immediately west of Town Hall. 

The lone bid for that project, submitted by Walters Builders, came in at almost $67,000, but officials last week made some changes to the building plan. Officials were expected to review a revised cost estimate that reflects those changes on Wednesday.

The town has traditionally included one road reconstruction project in its annual budget, but Didier said that it may not do that in 2022.

Instead, he said, officials are considering using the money for road maintenance projects.