Local officials' comments on various points in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposed budget.

On transportation priorities in Malloy's budget:

New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio: The mayor called Malloy's plan to include money to improve I-95, the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, the I-95/I-395 interchange and to complete Route 11 as "absolutely essential projects" to the city and the state. Finizio also applauded the governor's continued investment in State Pier and local rail transportation, noting that the state funding for the port helped the region obtain an $8.18 million federal grant to improve the New England Central freight rail line that begins at the port docks.

"I feel this will be critical in attracting economic development for our city and the state and will help us grow the grand list," Finizio said.

On Municipal Aid:

New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio: Overall, New London's total municipal aid from the state in various grants will remain the same as last year, Finizio said. He thanked the governor for keeping his pledge not to balance the state budget "on the backs" of the municipalities.

"I was confident he would continue to hold that policy," Finizio said, "… and he has done that."

Norwich Mayor Deberey Hinchey: Norwich would receive an overall combined increase of $550,000 in the several state grants listed in Malloy's proposed budget.

"It looks pretty good for us, and there are some transportation projects in our area."

Hinchey also was pleased that Malloy called for boosting funding for local roads and bridges, saying the city hopes to speed up replacement of the Sherman Street bridge in that initiative.

On Malloy's proposal that host towns would cover 100 percent of the cost of resident troopers instead of 70 percent:

Preston First Selectman Robert Congdon: Preston currently has two resident state troopers, at a cost to the town of $220,000. Adding the remaining 30 percent would cost the town about $70,000 per year.

"It certainly makes using a constable much more attractive," Congdon said. "Previously, the numbers were very close between having two troopers and having one trooper and a constable. This will tip the scales."

Congdon said it might be too late to incorporate such a change in the 2015-16 budget, which is being formulated during the next few weeks, but he said it will be worth studying for the following fiscal year if Malloy's plan survives the legislative process.

"My guess is there will be major pushback in the legislature," Congdon said.

North Stonington First Selectman Nicholas Mullane: "I'm especially disappointed because this is a public safety issue," Mullane said.

North Stonington has three resident state troopers, costing the town about $100,000 each. Mullane said state officials fail to recognize that these municipally funded troopers are making hundreds of arrests and issuing thousands of tickets for motor vehicle violations, with 100 percent of that revenue being turned over to the state.

He said the danger with Malloy's proposal is that towns could give up resident state troopers, establish constable services and the state would end up paying 100 percent of the troopers' cost when they return to state duties.

"The resident troopers are cost effective," Mullane said. "They know the towns, they know the trouble spots. It's preventing crime. You're being proactive and tailored to our needs. If (the towns) all disbanded them, the state would end up with an $11 million bill."

On Malloy's plan to maintain current education spending levels:

New London Superintendent Manny Rivera: "Obviously, you're always hoping you will receive additional revenue," Rivera said.

In drafting his proposed 2015-16 budget, Rivera said he assumed flat funding for the Education Cost Sharing grant, the main grant to municipalities for education, "so we were prepared for it."

But he said local education expenses will increase, so New London will have to try to tap into other resources - including the local general fund - to pay for the school district's needs, Rivera said. New London hopes to boost local private partnerships and seek foundation grant funding for its plan to transform the district into an all-magnet school district.

Norwich School Business Administrator Athena Nagel: Norwich school administrators were expecting flat funding in the coming year for the Education Cost Sharing Grant, Nagel said. Norwich is both a state Alliance District, receiving additional funding for all schools for its improvement plan, and two elementary schools, the John B. Stanton School and Uncas School are Commissioner's Network Schools. Nagel said she is awaiting word on those programs for the coming year.

Funding for individual districts and schools was not announced by Malloy Wednesday. The state budget includes $50 million for Alliance District funding, and Benjamin Barnes, secretary of the state Office of Policy and Management, said Wednesday that the Network School program would continue.