By Michelle O’Riley

WESTERLO — On Tuesday evening, the town board heard a request to revise current policy for overtime pay for town employees.

The proposed policy changes would give employees the option to save their overtime hours for use at a later date. The changes would also allow workers to carry any unused hours over from year to year.

The board was concerned with how much this new liability would affect the town’s budget and debt outlook for future projects. The board agreed to review Albany County’s current policy before making a decision.

A resident at the meeting commented that, if approved, the changes should not be an issue for the town since most employees will want to get paid for their overtime and will not pool their hours for future use.

Other business
In other business, the town board:

—Adopted and approved its first local law of the year, which changes the property-tax exemption for veterans. According to Town Assessor Pete Hotaling, the new law will affect 11 of the 149 veterans in town;

— Decided that the town attorney should review the renewal contract with the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society before the board considers approval. The town would pay a flat yearly fee of $1,000 under the renewal contract. Quotes were received from other area shelters, including Columbia Greene which would charge the town $350 per animal. Last year, the town sheltered 11 animals;

— Heard on update from Sue Fancher of the Westerlo Museum Board on some of the work being done to the museum’s new property, such as taking down the front porch and ordering a sign. Fancher also gave the board dates for upcoming events that will raise needed funds for the museum, including a Town Garage Sale on June 17 and a Civil War reenactment on Sept. 9 and 10 in the town park. In addition, Fancher asked for the board’s representation at an upcoming meeting on April 13 to discuss some things with which the Westerlo Museum Board could use the town’s help;

— Agreed to contribute $150 to the parade committee; and

— Expressed interest in participating in this year’s Household Hazardous Waste Day in May.