Town Budget Proposed at $27.7 M, a 3.2% Increase

The Board of Selectmen (BOS) held two budget meetings last week in an effort to bring the numbers down without impacting town services and public safety.

At the Feb. 5 BOS meeting, the selectmen trimmed $100,000 in additional spending from the proposed town budget for 2010-2011, resulting in a proposed budget of $27,719,875, representing an increase of $868,025 or 3.2 percent over the current budget.

Earlier in the week at their regular meeting, the selectmen announced an increase of 3.6 percent, which they intended to further reduce. When budget workshops first began, department heads came in with numbers 14 percent over current figures.

The selectmen are working with a slew of bad news that has impacted the budget including a loss of $700,000 in town revenue from decreased building fees, lower town clerk fees, reduced interest income, and a loss of school construction grants. The town is also facing a 31 percent increase in employee benefits and an eight percent increase in medical insurance, said officials.

The Grand List, which last year saw a decrease-the first in more than 30 years-of $14 million, is expected to realize a small increase this year of $9.4 million.

Capital expenditures need to increase this year, the selectmen agreed, as these expenditures had been cut to the bone for the current fiscal year. The proposed capital budget items include $49,000 for two police vehicles, $34,000 for a police supervisor vehicle, $230,000 for a dump truck for the Department of Public Works, and $160,000 set aside for the 2012 revaluation of properties.

The selectmen have also been advised by the town's actuaries to add $1 million to the pension fund due to the loss in the portfolio's value as of last July.

Officials are also uncertain as to projected state budget cuts which will impact the town budget. In personnel, a reduction of $487,000 was realized that needs to be reached by either salary freezes or job cuts, said officials. Option one, said First Selectman Joseph Mazza, is to not give pay increases for July 2010. Option two is job lay-offs. Last year, the departments and unions took a pay freeze that now affects the budget as the expected raises are to be given from July 1, 2009 and for this July.

Director of Human Resources Mitchell Goldblatt said he has met with leaders of the different bargaining units and department heads. There is concern from a few groups-the police, public works, and non-represented part-time workers-that this would be the second year of no raises.

"This is a difficult time for everyone," said Selectman Cynthia Cartier. "It is challenging for employees and taxpayers."

The projected budget is for fiscal year '10-'11, which begins

July 1 of this year and runs

through June 30, 2011. All budgets are preliminary until approved by the town's Board of Finance and finalized by the town electors and voters via a town meeting and referendum vote.