ROCKLAND — Thursday’s Rockland Town Board meeting opened with a public hearing to discuss the upcoming year’s budget. The proposed budget included a 1.86 percent tax increase, which would improve the town’s total funds to $3,776,296. Later in the meeting, the board voted on and approved the budget along with other resolutions.

Aside from the budget, the board approved resolutions for chargebacks for labor costs incurred by securing unsafe buildings, approving a 3-year snow/ice contract with the county and approving to use the ARPA fund money to purchase a pickup truck for the Water/Sewer department. They also approved the purchase of a trailer for the W/S department to assist in moving machinery.

The golf course was a point of discussion on Thursday as well, with resolutions being made to reassess the value of the property, which will now be valued at $64,350. Dredging the pond at Twin Village was also discussed and approved, with some discussion of adding a possible fountain to keep the water moving.

The highway department has wrapped up their paving for the year and are currently working to finish work at the salt shed before the upcoming winter. The plows are all attached and ready to go. 

During the public comment section of the meeting, the golf course was brought up again, with questions about a financial report for the first year of operation under the town.

It was also asked if light poles that are not working and have fallen over along the highway could be removed if they cannot be fixed.