By Mark Scott
Amherst, NY – Amherst town residents will have a chance Monday night to voice their opinion on the proposed town budget for 2003. The controversial spending plan includes a hefty tax increase.
Residents attending Monday's hearing can get an on-the-spot projection of how the proposed tax increase will affect them. Town Supervisor Susan Grelick says a staff member from the Finance Department will be on hand to calculate the tax for individual residents who bring a copy of last year's tax bill.
Grelick says there's been a lot of dis-information about next year's budget. She says the average household will see their property tax increase by $30 to $40. And she says there will be not cuts in services.
Grelick has been battling with Republicans on the Town Board who say she should have responded sooner to the town's budget problems. Council member Jane Woodward said Grelick's budget was "dead on arrival."
Monday night's hearing begins at 7:30 at Town Hall.