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The Town of New Market will receive less money than it budgeted from amusement taxes levied on Adventure Park USA in fiscal 2010.

Mayor Winslow Burhans III reported at the Nov. 11 meeting of the New Market Town Council that revenues are down. He said the town's budget for this year predicted more than $100,000 in amusement revenues, based on returns from July to September 2008. However, returns for this summer were less than estimated, and the town will only receive about $64,100.

"We could be in a deficit situation," Burhans said.

Burhans said the Town Council may have to look to cutting services to deal with the shortfall, suggesting snow removal or tourism line items as possible cuts. This news came a few months after New Market leaders had to make up a $29,000 shortfall in state funding by dipping into the town's reserve fund, which allowed them to forestall cutting any programs.

Burhans said the matter would be up for discussion at a future meeting.

Bank still waiting

for offers on Mealey's

The bank that holds the deed to Mealey's Restaurant that said while there are several interested parties, none have made an offer on the property yet.

Jim Plack, president of American Bank, said Monday that there are a number of potential buyers, but he is unaware if any of them had had the opportunity to be shown the restaurant by an agent.

The restaurant closed in March, a victim of the sluggish economy, and some business owners noticed a decline in foot traffic downtown following the closure. The restaurant had been a "marquee business" of New Market for many years, and town leaders and business owners have pinned the hopes of the town's economic recovery to the eatery reopening.

Town reappoints

Board of Appeals members

The New Market Town Council voted unanimously to reappoint three Board of Appeals members at its Nov. 11 meeting. Michael D'Ovidio and Kevin Brightful will continue as board members until December 2012. Scot Morrow will continue as an alternate on the board until December 2011. The board of appeals considers special exceptions to the town's zoning ordinance.

E-mail Christian Brown at chbrown@gazette.net.