East Lyme, how did this happen; an annual budget meeting set for June 11 without presentation of the proposed budget, as required by the Town Charter, Chapter 6 requires the Board of Finance to present the budget to the annual town meeting? Chapter 7, Annual Budget, clearly states, "The annual budget meeting shall be limited to a public presentation of the town of East Lyme budget by the BOF, BOS and BOE with an opportunity for public participation by comments and questions. The moderator shall adjourn the meeting to a referendum on the voting machines, on the Thursday in May which is ten days after the annual budget meeting."

No presentations were provided to the public by any of the boards, other than the five-year plan by the first selectman.

Although there were other opportunities to participate in the budget presentations, not everyone could, due to other commitments. We expect the budget presentations at the annual budget meeting. The omission of presentations is a disservice to the taxpayers. The referendum should be re-scheduled following a properly held annual budget meeting and the various board chairs should be trained in required protocol of the annual budget meeting.

Mike Schulz

East Lyme