A public hearing on the village budget for the fiscal year beginning March 1 and ending Feb. 28, 2008, has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4. A tentative budget will be available for public inspection at the village clerk's office, 16 W. Genesee St., by noon today, Mayor Dan O'Hara said.

The budget must be approved by Jan. 31.

"The budget will reflect some good changes," said O'Hara, who will go into more detail at the public hearing. "I think the village community will be very pleased with what is ultimately presented."

O'Hara added he does not expect a tax increase.

Also in the village, The Red Mill Inn owners Jake McKenna and Jay Bernhardt were named businesspersons of the year at the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and awards ceremony. McKenna and Bernhardt purchased the former Mercer Mill building in May 2005 and transformed the dilapidated structure into an upscale inn and conference center that opened in May 2006.

- Tom Leo