WEST SENECA, N.Y. -- West Seneca's Town Board took public comment on the its 2018 budget proposal Monday and most speakers took issue with the 12 percent property tax hike.

Town Supervisor Sheila Meegan says the increase is due to years of not doing smaller incremental increases.

She listed reasons for the hike like recent capital improvements including $25 million in road reconstruction, $6 million in paving, a $70 million mandate for sewers and repairing town buildings and making them ADA compliant.

"These buildings, when we got into office, were falling down around us, and we had no other choice. So now, that debt that we went out to get for bonding to make these things happen, the bill is coming due and we have to pay for it," Meegan said.

Residents pushed back, proposing ideas for cuts to the budget including in town workers' health plans, to help ease the burden. They said the rise in taxes could push them to leave town, especially those close to retirement.

"We have a high senior population, so those people are on fixed incomes," said Amy Carpenter.

The crowd was also furious with the lack of space at the meeting with more than 100 people left in the hallway, on the stairs or standing outside. With no speaker system outside the room, they couldn't hear a thing.

Meegan says she didn't anticipate such a large turnout.

“I've been here since 2008, and we have never seen this type of participation, and we welcome that and any help we can get," she said.

Under pressure during the meeting, Meegan agreed to move the next meeting on October 30th to a bigger venue.

Furthermore, she says the town will use its code red system so every resident will get an automated call or text with the time and location of the meeting.

Residents will have a second chance there to comment on the proposed budget.

The Town Board says they plan to vote on the final budget on November 13th.