Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media Greenville Town Supervisor Paul Macko is predicting the town budget cycle will be a difficult one this year. “It’s my belief, and the rest of the board members and the public can echo in, that this is probably going to be the most difficult budget cycle that we have ever encountered in 40 years in the town of Greenville this fall,” Macko said May 16. Macko made his comments during a meeting of the Greenville Town Board. The challenge will be coming up with a budget that meets the needs of the town while contending with high prices and record inflation rates that have been impacting the nation, he said. “I think with inflation running at close to 8.5 percent, fuel oil and diesel and gasoline [up], fuel oil for houses is up 80 percent, gasoline is up 46 percent for the year, and those numbers don’t factor into your inflation,” Macko said. The higher costs across the board will also impact other components of the budget. One area of the budget that remains unknown is a potential new contract currently in negotiations with the Greenville Rescue Squad. That contract expires December 31. Talks stalled after the organization presented the board with a proposed five-year contract. “We are very pleased with the services that the Greenville Rescue Squad provides — they do a fabulous job,” Macko said. “... I really, truly wish that we could try to come to terms with a contract.” The supervisor said the town will try to come up with some kind of agreement, but he is concerned about the impact the proposal that includes a 34 percent increase in the rescue squad tax rate for one year, will have on taxpayers. Other matters currently in negotiation include an agreement with the Teamsters union and the Freehold Volunteer Fire Company, Macko said. “It’s going to be a busy time,” he said. Read the full story at TheUpStater [dot] com.