The Town of Gardiner’s 2020 budget was passed on Nov. 7 without any discourse from residents or council members. The town board passed the budget unanimously.

“We’ve expanded some positions here in town hall,” said Town Supervisor Marybeth Majestic. “[For example] our town clerk now has a deputy clerk.”

In addition, some town officials are due for a slight raise in next year’s budget. Town board members will see their pay rise from $22,341.49 in this year’s budget to $22,788.32 next year. The justices and both court clerks will earn pay increases. The Town Supervisor as well as the bookkeeper will also receive higher salaries this year, with the supervisor earning $42,867.02 and the bookkeeper making $53,224.61.

The 2020 appropriations for the library have increased substantially. Next year’s library budget is $275,076, a 20 percent increase over the 2019 budget.
“I’m looking forward to addressing the flow issue for the sewer treatment plant and replacing the Clove Road Bridge,” Majestic said.

The town wants to increase the capacity of its sewers. In January they contracted with Pitingaro & Doetsch Consulting Engineers, P.C. to analyze and evaluate the sewer system.

Pitingaro & Doetsch collected information and data from the Plant Operator and conducted a site visit to the treatment plant and collection system. The engineers determined that the town has an infiltration and inflow problem with its sewer system. They recommend that the town increase capacity of their sewer system in a phased approach. Phase one would be to reduce infiltration and inflow.