The Town of Vestal is working to trim its proposed 2010 Budget.

It's a $16 million dollar spending plan, up 9 percent from the current budget.

It initially called for a 9.3 percent property tax increase, but as Action News Reporter, Leigh Dana, tells us that figure's already gone down thanks to some tough cuts.

Some good news for Vestal taxpayers.

Supervisor Peter Andreasen, says the town managed to trim down the proposed property tax rate increase for next year.

A move that's satisfying some homeowners at this budget hearing.

"I am happy that the prospect is no longer 9% but more in the area of 5%," says Thomas Gorman of Vestal.

"This is a very dynamic thing that we're working on. And we're trying to get it as low as we can," says Andreasen.

He says in order to make the tax cuts, the town had to make cuts of its own...like forgoing wage increases for elected officials, non union employees and open union contracts.

The town's also looking to close two parks, reduce museum hours and terminate some recreation programs like the Easter Egg Hunt.

Barry Klipsch says the town should look for more solutions before cutting annual traditions.

"I understand that they cost the town some money. I would like to see them for the cut, reach out to some of the local community organizations who might want to help pay for it," says Klipsch.

And Gorman says Vestal should look to sell its mineral rights to help increase revenue.

"Because the town does have a vast amount of land and underneath that land there is a potential for the sale of natural gas," says Gorman.

But more service cuts could be on the way before the town settles on its final plan.

In Vestal, Leigh Dana, WBNG TV Action News.

The town has two more weeks to continue trimming the budget before a final vote November 18th.