<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=093GDf_1Gr6XxYa00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=093GDf_1Gr6XxYa00" width="225" height="225" ><figcaption>(file photo)</figcaption></figure>TOWN OF WALLKILL – Two Republican Town of Wallkill councilmen have objected to the town’s 2027 preliminary budget process, accusing Supervisor Frank DenDanto of violating state law by making significant changes to the spending plan without providing all board members or the public an opportunity to review them.Councilman Eric Johnson submitted a formal written objection during a public hearing on Thursday night, arguing that proposed job cuts in the Assessor’s Office and police dispatching were introduced without adequate board review or public disclosure. DenDanto’s proposed 2027 budget also includes a property tax increase, which could be as high as at least 43 percent.Johnson said he and Councilman Mark Coyne had been excluded from budget meetings. At Thursday’s public session, DenDanto acknowledged holding budget meetings with only Democrat board members Don Sileo and Steve Vinella.“Any changes that Frank made after he presented the budget on September 30th need to be approved by the board, and the workshops need to be publicized to residents,” Coyne said. “He said he doesn’t like us, and he doesn’t want to hear the opinions of the people who put us in a crisis. There is no crisis and what he did was illegal. Frank is just a drama queen, and drama queens need drama. The guy ultimately wants to run the town on property tax alone.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3dWFyv_1Gr6XxYa00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3dWFyv_1Gr6XxYa00" width="500" height="666" ><figcaption>Frank DenDanto</figcaption></figure>DenDanto, who cruised to re-election on Tuesday, fired back at his political rivals.“The simple fact is that both Mr. Coyne and Mr. Johnson were asked to review the budget and submit notes and recommendations. They have done neither,” DenDanto said. “Instead, they grandstand and continue to push blatantly false statements that fly in the face of the discovery verified by the State Comptroller for what I can only imagine is to hide from their direct involvement in placing the town in this position.”Added DenDanto: “I’m certain I don’t see the wisdom of expecting the architects of this disaster to offer any constructive help, however they were asked, and to date have decided to, instead, double down despite the overwhelming evidence that has been cross-referenced and verified.”Johnson also questioned whether DenDanto’s proposed budget changes complied with state law, arguing that eliminating established town operations and civil service positions through a budget proposal could require separate legislative action.Johnson asked the board to adjourn the hearing and reschedule it to allow members and residents to review the revised budget and compare it with the preliminary version filed with the town clerk on Sept. 30.DenDanto, Vinella and Sileo declined to adjourn the hearing.In his written objection, Johnson said the changes prevented him from fulfilling his responsibilities as a councilman and raised concerns about transparency and public access to the budget process.According to New York State Town Law, the Town Board should review the tentative budget and may make changes, alterations, and revisions it considers advisable, provided they are consistent with law. The board may also call upon department heads and the budget officer to discuss the proposed budget. The tentative budget, including modifications approved by the Town Board, becomes the preliminary budget. It must then be filed with the town clerk.Johnson said DenDanto did not provide a public notice for his meetings with Vinella and Sileo, which could be a violation of the state’s Open Meetings Law (OML). OML requires advance public notice for all public bodies, and a specific public hearing is legally mandated for the preliminary budget.“They have every right to caucus as a party to discuss how they are going to vote,” Johnson said. “But they can’t rewrite an official town document or vote on any town business. What they did was illegal, and they are excluding and disenfranchising half the town. If the board members and public were forced to review and comment on a budget that was altered illegally, the entire public hearing can be viewed by a court as legally deficient.”</div></body>

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TOWN OF WALLKILL – Two Republican Town of Wallkill councilmen have objected to the town’s 2027 preliminary budget process, accusing Supervisor Frank DenDanto of violating state law by making significant changes to the spending plan without providing all board members or the public an opportunity to review them.

Wallkill GOP accuse DenDanto of bypassing budget process

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TOWN OF WALLKILL – Two Republican Town of Wallkill councilmen have objected to the town’s 2027 preliminary budget process, accusing Supervisor Frank DenDan

Wallkill GOP accuse DenDanto of bypassing budget process

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