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Chester board rescinds prior tax-cap override after adopting a budget under the limit
Summary
The Town of Chester adopted Introductory Local Law 12 of 2025 on Dec. 10 to rescind an earlier local law authorizing a tax-cap override, after the board said the adopted 2026 budget remains below the statutory levy limit; the vote was unanimous.
The Town of Chester adopted a local law Dec. 10 rescinding a previously authorized tax-cap override after the town reported its 2026 budget came in under the state levy limit.
Supervisor Holdridge opened a public hearing on the proposal and explained that town budgeting and “very good budgeting skills” kept the levy below the cap so no override is necessary. The board declared the action a Type II under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and then adopted Introductory Local Law 12 of 2025 to rescind Local Law 11 of 2025. The adoption passed unanimously.
The rescission removes the town’s standing authorization to override the tax levy limit established under General Municipal Law §3‑C. According to the resolution, the town clerk will file the adopted local law with the New York Secretary of State.
Board members did not record substantive public opposition during the hearing; the board proceeded to a roll-call vote with all members voting in favor.
The board’s action reflects a procedural correction rather than an immediate tax rollback: it removes local authorization to exceed the levy if future circumstances would otherwise prompt an override. The town’s finance team said the adopted budget produces only minor next-year adjustments and that officials will continue monitoring personnel and benefits costs as major drivers of municipal spending.
The board closed the hearing and entered other agenda business; the town clerk will file Local Law 12 of 2025 with state authorities.
