Brookhaven to hold public hearing on proposed budget Thursday evening

The Brookhaven Town Board will hold a public hearing Thursday on the town's proposed $274.7 million budget to fund services next year.

The budget would not raise taxes or cut staff, town officials said when they unveiled the plan in September.

If approved, the budget would increase spending by about 1.18 percent over this year's spending plan. Elected officials would not receive raises.

The preliminary budget includes an additional $1 million for snow removal, an increase of about 40 percent. Town officials said they added those funds after snow storms this year and in 2013 increased the average annual snowfall over the past five winters.

The proposed budget also would add funds for a code enforcement officer and the town's vacant housing registry.

The board also will hold a public hearing Thursday on a $80.1 million capital spending plan that includes $21.6 million for road improvements, salt sheds and traffic safety initiatives.

The hearings are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville.

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.