Living in the Village of Orchard Park does not cost that much more in taxes, a village trustee says.

And the services the village provides seem to be more comprehensive than the town, Trustee Joe Wales told the Town Board last week.

Many village residents have been asking what they get for their taxes, Wales said, but while they may pay several hundred dollars in village taxes, they pay less in town taxes.

A village house assessed at $141,000 paid $30 more in taxes than a similar house in the town, he said. For a $111,000 house, the difference was $25.

“Our village citizens are very concerned and have asked me several questions about their future as a village resident,” Wales said.

The Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act, making it easier to dissolve village governments, goes into effect March 21. In light of the recent wave of downsizing actions, many residents are raising questions about what would happen to village services should the village be dissolved, he said.

Wales said residents are concerned about services such as sidewalk snowplowing. The village plows nine miles of sidewalks every day if needed, an average of 47 times per winter. Streets are plowed and salted every two hours when necessary.

The village also picks up leaves and brush at least once a week, and sweeps its streets and sidewalks every Monday and Friday, he said.

“Does the Town Board feel that such services would continue at such a low cost value?” Wales asked the Town Board.

“I don’t know if the town could take over all those because we’re going to be downsized,” Supervisor Janis Colarusso said.

The village also provides water services, and it is estimated it would cost $2 million to upgrade the system before it could be turned over to the Erie County Water Authority, Wales said.

The village also annually plants and maintains more than 170 hanging flower baskets, as well as flower boxes and the urban garden in the business district.

It hangs wreaths on light posts in the winter, and runs community events, he said.

“These services really beautify our village and contribute to the high quality of life we have in the village,” he said. “Would the town continue these services if the village were dissolved?”

Town Board members agreed that the village is well run and a valuable asset.

“The services are simply outstanding,” said Councilman Edward Graber Jr., a former village trustee.

“I think the village is a very special place,” Councilwoman Nan Ackerman said. “I don’t think we could possibly do it for the cost you can.”

Board members and Wales agreed to set up a joint meeting of the village and town boards to discuss the issues surrounding village dissolution.