Town OKs funding increase
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldJOHNSTOWN - The Town Board heard several requests for increased funding of local organizations and granted one of them at a meeting this week.
The Sir William Johnson Fire Department asked the board to increase its budget to $59,000 from $55,000, a jump Fire Chief Lee Hulbert acknowledged was larger than usual.
Hulbert justified the increase by saying the department has, for the last several years, only increased its budget about 1.6 percent, well below the 3.5 percent rate of inflation.
"Fuel and heating costs have gone up about $3,000," Hulbert said. "We've been taking a hit every year."
Hulbert said the department is relatively up to date with all its equipment and machines and would now like to ensure it is in compliance with various regulations.
The board unanimously approved the budget increase.
The board also heard a request from Johnstown Library Director Barbara Germain, who asked for continued support of the library.
Germain cited the numerous services the library offers to the community, including book discussions, inter-library loan services and Internet access.
The board will review the request.
Business looks to move
Glove Cities Veterinary Hospital owner Mark Will asked the board to pass a resolution allowing him to move his business from Steele Avenue Extension to an Empire Zone area on Harrison Street.
Will said he hoped to use the benefits of being in the Empire Zone to hire more employees, expand his business and offer more services to his customers.
He assured the board all of his seven employees would remain with him.
He said the board needed to pass a resolution allowing him to shift his business from the town to the Empire Zone, located in the city of Johnstown.
