Peter Flierl is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Canaan Town Board last week acted on its 2019 town budget. The approved spending plan totals $1.3 million, including both the general and highway funds and includes a townwide tax levy increase of 1.58 percent. Canaan is now one of five towns looking at a 40-year transition in the funding formula for rescue squad services. The plan involves an agreement among Chatham Rescue. Chatham, Ghent, New Lebanon and Canaan. The cost for Canaan to participate could decrease from the current $188,000 to $174,000. The town of Austerlitz reportedly has not yet reached a decision. The state Department of Health mandates that every community must maintain an ambulance service, according to Flierl. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.