NEW BERLIN – In this year’s election season, New Berlin’s unopposed town supervisor says the challenges for the community are an unpredictable economy, dropping state aid and maintaining highway and ambulance services at their current levels.

Serving two-year terms at a time, New Berlin’s Town Supervisor Ross P. Iannello has worked for the community for the past 11 years and this November, he will be the only candidate for the position on the ballot.

Also re-seeking election are current town council members Halys Davis and Robert Gardner. Both incumbents are seeking reelection unopposed for four-year terms on the Town of New Berlin Board.

“Fiscally, this year has been a real challenge and next year is looking to be even worse,” said Iannello.

The world recession and the more local impact of collapsing Wall Street revenues have left representatives in Albany looking to cut aid at nearly every corner. The direct reduction in eligible aid has already been felt locally with the revised estimate to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), which often contributes ten of thousands of dollars to towns across the county.

Iannello said the program was drastically cut in early 2009 but was re-instituted at the previous rate due to last-minute changes by Albany lawmakers and federal stimulus money. However, the outlook for the program’s contributions in 2010 is anyone’s guess.