While many Hudson Valley towns continue to crunch the numbers in attempt to balance their budgets, Clarkstown has made cuts that resulted in a million-dollar surplus.

"In these economic times, we certainly need to assure people we are watching every penny," says Clarkstown Town Supervisor Alex Gromack.

Some of the steps taken by Gromack and the town board that have put Clarkstown in the green include eliminating a position in the justice court and enacting a hiring freeze for three positions at the Department of Public Works and the police department.

"We've cut $200,000 in various expenditures throughout the various departments," Gromack says. "We're reducing our overtime, and we were able to refinance our debt to the tune of $146,000, so when you add that all together, it's $1.1 million from the '09 budget."

Gromack hopes to use the surplus to offset a possible tax increase for residents next year.

"I think they should lower the taxes this year," says Mel Rimlad, of New City. "I think that the taxes in Clarkstown are way too high."

Gromack says he and other town officials are looking into additional ways to weather the crisis.