It was a meeting about money, but the person who manages Ballston Spa's finances was not around to answer questions Monday night.  

It's packed house at the VFW to discuss what would be a massive 26 percent property tax hike for residents. And in a room full of questions about where that money would be going, Village Treasurer Christopher Hickey was strangely absent. 

Mayor John Romano says the village needs the money to cover expenses. But some residents are not pleased. 

None of it is a done deal. The mayor says the village will continue to refine the details before finalizing the budget later this month.