ELDRED, NY — In the end, Highland Town Board members were generally satisfied with the outcome of their yearly travail to match income with expenses. On November 10, they revealed the fruits of their labor by providing the community the opportunity to see the adopted 2021 budget in print. For 2021, New York State has imposed a tax cap that limits increases to 1.56 percent. Along with some exemptions available to the town, and in spite of significant reductions to state funding, the 2021 Town of Highland Budget came in at a 1.52 percent increase.

Jeff Haas, who has been supervisor since 2016, plays a dual role as presiding officer and treasurer. 

“The toughest part of every budget is searching for revenue sources to help offset tax liabilities. To start with, The [Aid and Incentives for Municipalities] awards were reduced by 20 percent. We’ve been promised but have not received $125,000 from a [State and Municipal] grant. Hopefully, the state will provide those grant funds in a timely fashion. We need to pay down the debt on our new highway shop. We get some dividends because we are a Climate Smart Community and a Clean Energy Community. Our ‘rate-ables’ increased again this year. People are moving in, purchasing properties and building. So, the budget we approved came in well under the governor’s mandate.”

Highway superintendent Tom Ebers addressed concerns about the town’s winter equipment and supplies. The new shed has 2,000 tons of salt on hand, ready to be mixed with sand when needed. Anticipating next year’s budget, a list of heavy equipment that might have to be replaced is being prepared. 

Haas commented about the shared corner of the highway shop and the Highland Senior Center. “The area around the senior center has been raked and highway shop property is very presentable. We’ll be putting up new signs, and Sullivan Renaissance coordinator Karol Sundholm will be coming up with a plan to beautify the location.” Councilmember Fred Bosch reported that “the seniors are anxious to get back to normal, however, only the VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars] is currently meeting there, using masks and social distancing.” 

Councilmember Kaitlin Haas, reporting on emergency management concerns, indicated that “while we are doing generally well, it’s important to be diligent with your health precautions.” Haas, who regularly monitors the Sullivan County and statewide dashboards, said, “COVID cases are up again in the county and it’s definitely in a community spread. There has not been an identified cluster or super-spreader event. However, you do need to wear a mask, wash your hands and limit your exposure by social distancing. If a contact tracer calls, you need to comply. These are the things which will help to halt the spread.”

The meeting was held the day before Veterans Day, so town clerk Doreen Hanson disclosed items that were both pertinent and timely. A section of Heroes Park has Memorial paver stones that are beginning to separate. “Rain and ice will make the situation worse. Can we consider finding someone locally who can remove the bricks and change the grade? We don’t want a bigger mess in the spring.” The consensus was to try to move forward with the repairs. 

Hanson went on to announce that Highland has begun a new program, “Hometown Heroes,” to celebrate service members who are from or live in the Town of Highland. The 30-by-60-inch banners will be hung in Eldred and be displayed along State Route 55. “This past Sunday, Chuck Meyers was the first Hometown Hero banner to be unveiled. Since then, I’ve had a lot of phone calls and good feedback from people who want to be a part of the program. Chuck’s banner isn’t going to stay up long because we plan to display them only from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. The banners and mounting brackets will cost $150. The applications are available on our website.”