Comprehensive Plan Open House
Over the past two years, our Comprehensive Plan Special Board (CPSB), town committees, and countless community members have dedicated themselves to updating the Town of Jay’s Comprehensive Plan: the first update in nearly three decades. The CPSB will present informational material about the draft Community Profile and Comprehensive Plan Update at an Open House next Thursday, October 22nd, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Community Center.
All residents and community members are invited to drop in at any time during the Open House to learn about this proposed guide for the town’s future and to meet with leaders of our town committees. The CPSB will collect feedback on the draft plan throughout October and November, which will include a formal public hearing on Tuesday, November 17th, beginning at 6:00 pm at the Community Center. To learn more and to access the Community Profile and Plan Update, please visit: planjay.com

2026-2027 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
With colder weather approaching and utility costs rising, guidelines for the 2026-2027 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) are now available to help eligible homeowners and renters manage their seasonal heating expenses. Regular base benefits provide up to $990 for oil, kerosene, and propane; $700 for wood and pellets; and $400 for natural gas or electric utility heat, alongside additional funds for vulnerable households and grants for heating equipment tune-ups, repairs, and replacements.
Income eligibility is based on household size, with maximum gross monthly limits set at $3,563 for an individual, $4,659 for a household of two, and $6,852 for a family of four. Applicants will need to provide standard documentation including proof of residency, identity, recent income, and a current fuel or utility bill. To review eligibility requirements or submit an application, visit mybenefits.ny.gov or call the Essex County Department of Social Services at 518-873-3441.

2027 Budget Update: Balancing Rising Costs and Taxpayer Impact
Developing the 2027 town budget has required an honest look at the severe inflationary pressures facing our community. For context, our 2026 tax levy was $2,385,889, and our state-mandated tax cap limit for 2027 allows for a 3.9 percent increase, setting our cap threshold at $2,479,027. When we compiled department requests into the initial Tentative Budget, the proposed tax levy stood at $2,787,815. That initial figure represented a 16.9 percent increase of $401,926 over 2026, driven by unprecedented cost spikes, including doubling electric rates, fuel oil and diesel at multi-year highs, double-digit increases in health and liability insurance, and the necessity of adjusting wages so we can retain our dedicated municipal staff against competing neighboring towns.
Over nearly seven hours of detailed deliberations across our first two workshops, the Town Board conducted a line-by-line review to find savings, sharpen revenue projections, and apply $160,000 in carry-over funds to shield taxpayers. Through those efforts, we trimmed the proposed levy by $117,348, which is a 4.2 percent reduction from our initial starting point. This brings our current Draft Preliminary Budget tax levy down to $2,670,467, lowering the projected year-over-year increase from 16.9 percent down to 11.9 percent.
While this marks important headway, the current draft preliminary levy still sits $191,440, or 7.7 percent, above the state tax cap limit. We understand the financial strain that higher costs place on our residents, especially when households are dealing with the exact same utility and fuel increases. That is why our work is not finished. The Town Board will hold a third budget workshop on Tuesday, October 27th at 6:00 pm at the Jay Community Center to continue examining every operational area for additional efficiencies before we formally establish the Preliminary Budget and schedule a public hearing in early November.

Have a great weekend,

Matt