Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail the Catskill Town Board opened the public hearing on its 2016 preliminary budget Wed., Nov. 4. The hearing will conclude Fri., Nov. 13. The additional time is to allow both the board and the public the opportunity to further review the town's spending plan for next year. Total appropriations, including all lighting, hydrant, and sewer districts, is $5.9 million. The board's challenge now is to keep the tax levy increase under the state-mandated limit. Town board member Gary Carlson suggested all medical coverage for part-time, elected officials be eliminated as a cost-cutting measure. The full board agreed to look into the possibility of developing a policy to eliminate the benefits package for newly elected and re-elected officials. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.