ELDRED, NY — Town of Highland officials will begin reviewing numbers in a preliminary 2015 budget next week.

At last Tuesday’s meeting of the town board, Supervisor Andrew Boyar said various department requests are being assembled and the first work session for the preliminary plan has been scheduled for September 22, at the town hall.

Insurance is one of the largest budget costs annually and was the only particular mentioned last week. Boyar said that he had learned from the town’s carrier that since Highland had no claims during the year, the rate would not change. Despite the unchanged rate, there will be an increase in the total policy cost.

In other business, the board tabled two measures related to the Length Of Service Award Program (LOSAP), which currently provides monthly payments to retired members of the town’s volunteer emergency services.

The amendments were related to a resolution that would have switched the rate from continuing monthly payments to a one-time lump sum, based on the use of a mortality table recommended by the town’s actuary.

Tabling came after a spokesman for the Highland Lake Fire Department asked for a delay as members had expressed concerns about how a change would affect their tax rates.

Boyar said that tabling of the measures was planned, as the town wanted to get feedback on the plan, which had been recommended by the town’s LOSAP administrator, Phil Johnson.

Concerned with recruiting and retaining volunteers, town voters approved LOSAP in 2004. The program then prompted a 9.7% increase in the Highland’s budget spending.

The board also acknowledged the code enforcement officer’s finding that a structure at 6 Woods Rd. is unsafe and scheduled a 7 p.m. public hearing, prior to the board’s October 7 workshop meeting, at which the unnamed owner may refute the finding or make provision for demolition.

The board also tabled a resolution to begin disciplinary proceedings against town highway employee James Moribito. The civil service measure would authorize a 30-day suspension, without pay for Moribito.

Boyar said the action was taken after Moribito’s failure to communicate with the town about his plans for returning to work, after expending his personal and vacation time following the 2013 death of his child in an automobile accident.