HANOVER — The town of Hanover approved its 2025 budget at a recent meeting of the Town Board, which totals more than $6.6 million of appropriations in 2025. But despite rising costs, through careful bookkeeping and reallocation of the Town’s resources, taxpayers will not feel any additional impact.

Town Accountant Elmar Kiefer confirmed a zero tax increase with the adoption of the 2025 budget at a recent Town Board meeting.

The Town’s assessed valuation amounts to $275,507,935. Combined with the Village of Silver Creek’s assessment, the total assessed valuation of the Town of Hanover is $356,177,649. To account for the appropriations of $6,633,767, the Town anticipates the need to raise a total of $2,247,725 in taxes. However, the tax increase felt by stakeholders in the community is still no different from a year ago. Kiefer stated the amount raised compared to a year ago only raised by $47. A year ago, the final tax levy amount in the Town was $1,008,450.38 and the tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value was 3.50.

The most substantial portion of the 2025 budget appropriations comes from the general fund, which appropriated $1,705,088. The Town anticipates general revenue to cover $546,036, with a total of $1,077,052.00 to be raised by taxes.

Three other portions of the 2025 budget require a substantial contribution from taxpayers to fund, as usual with the Town’s operating expenses.

The townwide Highway Department is appropriated $1,024,712, while the Highway Department outside of the Village is appropriated $1,051,442. While the outside of the Village portion will not be supported by taxes raised, the town-wide Highway Department requires a contribution of $399,512 from taxpayers.

Regarding fire protection costs, the Town approved one-year renewals with various fire departments in the region. In District 1, Forestville receives $35,908. In District 2, Hanover Hose Co. 1 receives $30,400; Irving Fire District receives $28,664; Perrysburg Volunteer Fire 1 receives $2,500; Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Co. receives $38,331; Forestville receives $31,111; and Silver Creek receives $72,723. In District 3, Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Co. receives $63,718. Fire Protection 2 itself amounts to $243,729 to be raised by taxes.

Supervisor Lou Pelletter and Councilman Bernie Feldmann spoke at length about the benefits of consolidating fire departments into one fire district at a recent public hearing. With 67 guests in attendance and 18 speakers, the public hearing regarding fire protection lasted more than two hours, with another hour of Town business to follow at the regular meeting. The topic of consolidation will likely be discussed more in the coming months.

The Town also has five separate water districts, along with three extensions to Water District 1. All of the water districts and extensions total over $350,000 to be raised by taxes, with the largest portion coming from Water District 1, which carries an appropriation of $761,292 and $274,515 to be raised by taxes.

In terms of salaries for local officials, Pelletter will receive a salary of $17,500 as Town Supervisor. Town Board members each receive a salary of $8,200, with an additional $2,000 allocated to the Deputy Supervisor.

The Court’s two Town Justices each receive a salary of $18,000. One Court Clerk receives $23.02 per hour, while another Court Clerk receives $19.76 per hour. Bailiffs receive $17.58 per hour.

The Town Clerk, Elizabeth VanCheri, receives a salary of $59,750. One Deputy Clerk receives an hourly rate of $29.14, while another Deputy Clerk receives an hourly rate of $25.00.

The Town Accountant budget is $61,200. The total assessment budget is $85,825, including $62,000 for assessor services and $20,800 for a part-time clerk.

Police protection amounts to $321,160 of the Town Budget, while safety inspections total $86,880.

Employee benefits account for $332,000 of the budget. Special items in the budget account for $234,500, including $148,000 in unallocated insurance.

Town Building maintenance and utilities are budgeted for $129,500. Garage maintenance is also allocated $75,000. A budget provision for equipment reserves of $300,000 is also included in the 2025 budget.

Snow removal is budgeted $390,212, including $220,012 for hourly pay and $115,000 for supplies.

The Town’s Beach and Pool budget is $129,800, including salaries for hourly employees at the beach and marina. Youth and senior programs are budgeted for $16,225.

Also of note, the Town set Boat Launch fees for 2025. Boat Launch and/or fish cleaning is $12 per day or $125 for a season pass. Additional passes are available at no fee if each trailer is registered under the same name as the season pass. Kayaks, canoes, or any other non-motorized watercraft is $3 per day or $30 for a season pass. Town residents, taxpayers of the Town, or Town employees are eligible for a Boat Launch season pass at $100 and a non-motorized watercraft season pass at $20 per vessel.

During the month of September, the Town Justice Court disposed of 221 traffic cases, 16 penal law cases and one tax law case for a total of $14,221 collected. The Town Clerk collected $4,958 for the month of September, including 840 Department of Environmental Conservation licenses, tags, and permits issued.

The next meeting of the Hanover Town Board is Tuesday.