Ledyard — After months of taking action to make up for a more than $1.5 million cut in state aid, officials formally have requested a meeting with the governor to discuss the town's financial state.

On Tuesday town officials sent a letter to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy requesting a meeting with both he and Benjamin Barnes, secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. In the meeting officials hope to discuss why Ledyard's state revenue has been cut "so deeply," as well as outline the town's current fiscal standing and the actions that already have been taken to get there.

"If you really look at the facts, clearly Ledyard, whether we were targeted or it was a mistake ... there doesn't seem to be any particular reason Ledyard was so unfairly treated," Town Council Chairman Linda Davis said. "All we're asking is to be treated fairly."

"We've tried to save and you would hope you don't get penalized for doing that," she said.

Signed by Davis, Mayor Fred Allyn III,  Superintendent Jason Hartling and Board of Education Chairman Anthony Favry, the letter itself highlights the proportion of Ledyard citizens who fall below the poverty line, the town's unique place as a host community for Foxwoods and the town's history of being "strict" with its budget.

"The town of Ledyard knows this budget season has been particularly painful for the state Legislature and your administration," the letter states. "As a small town, Ledyard also feels it bears an unfair burden and more than its share of revenue reductions as a result of the budget ..."

Through a combination of furlough days and cost reductions, both from the Board of Education and general town government, the town has scrambled with the more than $1.5 million shortfall caused by cuts in state aid. All in all, the school district has managed to find more than $750,000 in savings. But on the town government side, savings were eaten in large part by an IRS ruling that affected the payout of the town's pension plan.

This left the town still staring down about a $750,000 deficit, and increased the likelihood the town would have to send residents a supplemental tax bill.

Members of the Board of Education and Town Council have held multiple joint meetings over the past several months to discuss potential next steps. It was at one of these meetings the idea of requesting audience with the governor initially was proposed.