The Plattekill Town Board formally established a townwide ambulance district at its Oct. 7 meeting and scheduled a public hearing on a proposed local law that would allow the town to exceed the state property tax levy cap, if necessary, for its 2027 budget.

One of the meeting’s most significant actions was the board’s adoption of Resolution No. 44, establishing the Plattekill Ambulance District.

The district is intended to provide emergency medical services, including ambulance transportation, throughout the town.

The final resolution followed a public hearing held July 1 and an earlier Town Board resolution adopted Aug. 5, which was subject to a permissive referendum, according to Town Supervisor Mike Lembo.

Under the resolution, no petition requesting a referendum was filed within the required period, allowing the board to proceed with the final establishment of the district.

The board determined that the ambulance district would benefit all properties and property owners within its boundaries and that its creation was in the public interest.

Public Hearing Scheduled on Property Tax Cap Override
The board also introduced Local Law No. 1 of 2026, which would authorize the town to override New York State’s property tax levy limit when adopting its 2027 budget.

The Town Board scheduled a public hearing on the proposed law for Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Plattekill Town Hall.

The proposed legislation would allow the Town Board to exceed the state-imposed tax levy limit if necessary. However, Lembo emphasized that adopting the law would not automatically increase the tax rate by more than 2 percent.

Instead, the measure would give the board flexibility as it works to finalize the town’s spending plan for the coming year.

During public comment, a resident urged Lembo and the Town Board to keep any tax increase below 2 percent and, preferably, eliminate an increase altogether.

The board will accept public comment on the proposed override law before considering further action.

Ethics Board Finds No Violation

The Town Board also received correspondence dated Oct. 6 from the town’s Ethics Board regarding a complaint that had been reviewed.

According to the letter read during the meeting, the Ethics Board unanimously determined that no evidence supported an ethics violation by the parties involved.

The board concluded that the alleged actions did not violate the applicable ethics provisions.

The correspondence requested that the supervisor or a designated representative notify the involved parties of the determination.

No additional details about the complaint or the individuals involved were provided during the public portion of the meeting.

Veterans Memorial Park Improvements Continue
The town’s veterans memorial park was another topic of discussion.

Lembo reported that electrical lines had been installed and concrete support piers were in place as part of ongoing improvements.

Additional work was expected to include seating and installing a frame to hold memorial stonework. The board also discussed the memorial brick program, noting that commemorative bricks honor not only veterans but also other loved ones.

Committee members said the memorial area can accommodate thousands of bricks, creating an opportunity for additional community participation.

The Veterans Committee also welcomed three new volunteers.

Highway Department Announces Winter Schedule
The town’s Highway Department will begin its winter work schedule Monday, Nov. 2, according to a notice presented during the meeting.

The department’s winter hours will be Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The schedule change comes as the department prepares for the colder months and winter road maintenance operations.