Two residents want the Marilla Town Board to reconsider 3 percent pay hikes for employees and elected officials in the 2010 budget.

Debbie Zimmerman pointed to the flagging economy and contract negotiations with newly unionized Highway Department employees — talks that will require the hiring of an attorney. None of this has been budgeted, she added.

Debbie Specht-Gardon pointed out that while neighboring towns have their employees contribute to the cost of their health care insurance, Marilla pays for everything.

Supervisor George Gertz pointed out that this is an issue for contract negotiations.

Councilman Dan Handy agreed with the two residents.

"These are tougher times and we need to tighten our belts," said Handy, who noted the annual 3 percent raises were designed initially to cover inflation.

He added that he will push to eliminate the salary hikes.

However, Councilman Warren Handley pointed to the heavy workload of the supervisor and highway employees, who routinely perform above and beyond their official duties.

He noted that Highway Superintendent Ronald Unverdorben has saved the town thousands of dollars and his role is more than just a supervisor. Unverdorben, he added, saves the town in benefits, salary and a truck that would be required if another employee was hired.

The board will meet on the budget at 7:30 p. m. today in Town Hall.

In other matters:

Unverdorben, who is in charge of the Sanitation Department, announced that steel garbage cans that have to be tipped by a truck equipped with a hydraulic arm are a violation of town code.

Handley said Chris Stelmaszyk, a member of Boy Scout Troop 325 and the son of Linda nd Brian Stelmaszyk of Williston Heights, will build two benches near the swing set in town park as an Eagle Scout project. He also will develop a garden around the pavilion sign.

The board awarded a $10,290 contract to low bidder Sahlens Roofing to reroof the cold storage shed and the salt barn and and voted to hire outside counsel to represent the town in contract negotiations with the highway employees union.