Town of Pelham 2025 Proposed Budget: Town Budget Memo 2025 In recent discussions, the Town Council carefully reviewed and ultimately voted to break the tax cap to present the 2025 town budget. This decision was not made lightly, but it was necessary to cover critical increases in costs that affect the community’s essential services and operational needs. To provide context, the 2024 budget appropriations were $6,703,375.16, with revenues of $3,364,559.48, resulting in a need to raise $3,338,815.68 through taxes. For 2025, the town’s total appropriations have increased to $7,182,220.84, with projected revenues of $3,254,981.29. To help offset this, $280,000 is being drawn from the town’s fund reserve, but the amount to be raised by taxes will still increase to $3,647,239.55—a necessary rise to maintain vital town operations and improvements. Key areas requiring this additional funding include: Police Facility Renovation: $100,000 is being earmarked for capital improvements for our town hall which are critical to maintain and upgrade the facilities when the Village of Pelham Police department relocates to the new Village Municipal center in 2025. We are also actively seeking grant money to assist us with the costs of this necessary project. Ambulance Contract: Includes an increase by $64,000 – This is a contractual expense for timely, quality emergency medical services for all residents. Library Budget: Includes an Increase of  $54,000 – Supporting our library services, a community hub for education and resources, remains a priority for the town. Insurance: Rising costs include a medical insurance increase of 10% and a liability Insurance increase of 15% Mandated Retirement and Employment Benefits: Increased by $44,500 – As mandated costs rise, meeting these obligations is essential to support our employees’ future financial security. The impact taxpayers can expect is as follows: 2024 Tax on a home assessed at 1 Million  was $754.78 (homestead) 2025 Tax on a home assessed at 1 Million is $777.37 (homestead) The increase is $22.59 The Town Council will hold a budget hearing on Monday, December 2nd at 7pm on the 2nd floor of Town Hall. All residents are invited to review the preliminary budget and be heard during public comment. Preliminary Budget 2025  

Town of Pelham

Posted on , by Maura Curtin

Food Scraps Program up and Running in the Town of Pelham

The Village of Pelham and the Village of Pelham Manor recently announced the official launch of the Pelham Residential Food Scrap Recycling Program. This is a partnership between both villages and Westchester County, so now all Pelham residents can bring food scraps to the Food Scrap Drop-Off site located in Parking Lot 7 (north of the Village of Pelham DPW yard, behind Rockwells – enter from Sparks Avenue). 

This program is one that many residents have wanted for years. Composting food scraps is a win-win. It reduces the amount of trash we produce and transforms food waste into a resource that’s beneficial to the environment. It results in cleaner soil, water and air. But even though we’ve wanted to launch this site for quite some time, this service would not be possible without the incredible support of the Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams (EcoPel). EcoPel awarded the Village a grant this year that covers all the startup costs related to the site. Alongside their financial support, the volunteers on the Sustainability Advisory Board and the Climate Smart Communities Task Force have spent months working closely with both village governments. 

While it’s not required, we strongly encourage all participants to purchase a “starter kit,” available for $21/kit. The starter kits include a countertop pail, a transportation bin and a roll of compostable bags. Village of Pelham residents can sign up for a kit by sending an email to [email protected] and Village of Pelham Manor residents can sign up by emailing [email protected].

More information for Pelham Manor residents and how to participate can be found here.
More information for Village of Pelham residents and how to participate can be found here.