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Residents call Maybrook tax proposal 'backbreaking' at public hearing
Summary
Dozens of residents addressed the Board during an April 20 public hearing—urging use of fund balance, questioning police staffing and sewer capacity, and warning that fixed‑income households cannot afford the proposed increase.
The Village of Maybrook’s public hearing on the tentative 2026–27 budget drew a large turnout and broad criticism from residents who urged the Board to reduce the proposed tax increase or use reserves to soften the impact.
John Lown opened public comment by calling the proposal “a backbreaking budget,” and multiple residents asked that the board use fund balance to lower the levy. Denise Munoz, who said she has been on disability for 10 years, told the board she “can’t afford the tax increase” and fears losing her home if bills rise.
Residents also raised technical and service concerns. Several asked whether the police department would transition to 24‑hour coverage and pressed whether the sewer plant has capacity for proposed development. Collen Chrystal and others asked for more printed information and additional meetings; Diana Sanchez, a newer resident, said she had not known about the hearing and requested alternate avenues for outreach.
Trustees acknowledged residents’ concerns; Deputy Mayor Charles Woznick moved to open and later close the public hearing, and the Board scheduled a follow‑up special meeting for April 27, 2026. Attorney Liz Cassidy reminded the meeting that the statutory deadline for action was May 1.
Why it matters: The hearing showed strong resident pushback focused on affordability, transparency and capacity questions—issues that trustees said they must weigh against rising costs for services.
