By TOM KANE

LAKE HUNTINGTON - The Cochecton Town Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2001 budget at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8 in the town hall.

In the new budget, residents will see a 6.5-percent increase in property taxes.

Reasons for the increase include an estimated two-percent increase in the highway budget as a result of the August 11 storm that damaged roads and bridges; a 16-percent increase in hospitalization rates for employees insurance; and a cost of living increase caused largely by the rise in fuel costs.

Regarding storm damage, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) will pay for 75 percent and the New York State Emergency Management Organization (SEMO) will pay for 12.5 percent. The town must pay 12.5 percent from its own money. The town must lay out money for repairs and then get reimbursed

"If we get a check from FEMA and SEMO before the budget is voted on, the increase will be less," said Town Supervisor Sal Indelicato. Indelicato said the final amount of all the repairs has not yet been determined. "We still have about 10 more roads to evaluate as to the final cost of repair," he said. About 45 roads were affected by the storm, he said.

The total spending plan for the new budget is $781,525. Last year it was $724,214. The amount to be raised by taxes is $616,749.

There hasn't been an increase in taxes in the town for two years. "We've done our best to keep the budget down," Indelicato said.