by Tony Gray

WHITEHALL, NY --- Village Board members approved at their regular April meeting a $2.19 million budget for 2021 that increases property tax rates 0.77 percent. Village water and sewer rates are unchanged from last year. No members of the public attended the March special meeting held to discuss the budget, according to meeting minutes.

Village Clerk and Treasurer Stephanie LaChapelle said the newly adopted $2,192,201 budget drew $299,851 from the municipal fund balance in order for the budget to remain under the tax cap.

LaChapelle will receive a $10,000 salary increase, along with paid dental insurance. Department of Public Works Supervisor Steven Brock received a new contract that includes a $70,000/year salary along with full health insurance and annual 1.6 percent pay increases for the next three years. According to NYS public employee pay records published online by The Empire Center , Brock was already the highest paid village employee and recent village action should push his total compensation above $100,000/year.

Other notable appropriations made during recent village meetings include authorized payments to Troy, NY-based civil engineering firm Chazen Companies totaling $49,320.50 for services rendered on four projects. Chazen was paid $25,000 for help with a USDA Rural Development loan for the Poultney Street water main replacement. Chazen received $1,920 for work related to the sewer lateral replacement project and $1,150.50 for the Flat Iron building removal and parking lot project. Chazen will get $21,250 for work related to the State Route #22 home replacement project, which will be grant funded.