WHITE LAKE, NY — The Bethel Town Board on October 26 approved the budget for 2017 and Supervisor Dan Sturm sent a letter to residents saying the town stayed within the Albany-imposed tax cap, which this year was 0.6%. He wrote, “We are also lowering our town tax rates for next year. I want to thank the town board, and all departments and our staff for being fiscally responsible this year, which allows us to budget more economically next year.

“A special thanks goes to our Highway Superintendent Pat Cunningham and his highway crew. They are under budget in all areas, and also took the time to make sure our new sand mine operation on Ballard Road is making enough sand for this coming winter at a huge savings to our taxpayers. It is a safe, well run professional operation which will save taxpayers for many years to come. (We have all DEC permits, and proper training.)

“We also managed to do a lot of needed paving, purchased three new one-ton trucks, a new big truck for this winter, and a new loader. All of which stayed within budget. Great job!”