WEST SENECA, N.Y. -- "We are a small town, and the revenue can't constantly increase on the taxpayers to fund the salaries of a bloated town," one speaker at Monday's budget hearing told West Seneca officials.

It's not just the proposed 12 percent tax hike that's at the root of the anger in the town.

"Overall, it's $150. It's really not that much on the assessment of our home," said Jeanmarie Cieslica about what the hike would mean for her.

It's the path that led the town to need that increase.

"It's mismanagement from the top, in my opinion," said West Seneca resident Eric Paul.

"There's no end in sight," said Cieslica. "As a public, we don't get to vote on big projects, we don't get to vote on this budget."

Areas they're looking at cutting to lessen the tax increase: closing the town pool for two summers, ending weekend leaf pick-up and closing the ice rink after the youth hockey season. Not all the suggestions went over well, and as officials tried to tell residents about town expenses, tempers flared.

"It's a hard time, it's a hard budget, you're here because you don't like it, and we're going to make the cuts that are necessary to bring that tax rate down as much as we can," said Town Councilman Gene Hart.

Some told leaders they're frustrated with what they see as wasteful spending, like the construction of a $12 million library and community center. Others, that they want to see the town look at ways to raise revenue.

"If the town is truly invested in making a difference, they need to invest in business development, and they really need to look at the quality of life that is being compromised," said Cieslica.

A revised budget will be presented at the November 13 town meeting, when a vote is also expected.