Salem finance board reviews proposed budget before public hearing
Salem — The Board of Finance reviewed revisions to departmental budgets at its meeting Thursday night in advance of the public hearing next month.
The town's total budget is $3,701,017, a 2.2 percent increase from the previous year. The Board of Education budget is $10,698,225, a 0.5 percent increase. The capital budget for 2016-17 is $864,890.
Changes to the departmental budgets include a new employee assistance program for all responders with the Salem and Gardner Lake Volunteer Fire companies.
First Selectman Kevin Lyden said the program is designed to help public safety volunteers and their families and will cost the town $3,800.
Gardner Lake volunteers have an existing employee assistance program that comes out of the fire company's internal budget.
Gardner Lake Fire Chief James Savalle also requested an additional $5,000 to provide support for volunteers seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
He said he spoke with other fire departments in the region and Salem would be the only town to provide additional PTSD support outside their employee assistance program.
The board voted unanimously to eliminate the $5,000 PTSD allotment and approved the $3,800 program for both fire companies.
Board member Marshall Collins said the new program will provide more benefits to all public safety volunteers in Salem.
The board also voted to approve an additional $11,000 for the security department to account for salary adjustments for the resident troopers.
The Recreation Commission also presented a revised capital plan to the finance board.
Recreation Chairwoman Sue Spang asked for an additional $54,000 to pay for a well, septic system, restroom facilities, electricity and storage at the town's Volunteer Park on Forsyth Road, bringing the total cost for the renovations to $100,000.
A proposed $77,500 for a pavilion project at the park was moved to the 2017-2018 capital plan.
The board voted 4-2 to approve the $54,000 addition and created a single line item to fund projects for the park.
The finance board said creating the single line item would give the commission more flexibility to use funding broadly instead for specific projects.
Members Deborah Cadwell and Hernan Salas voted against the measure.
The public hearing on the budget will be held 7 p.m. April 13 at Salem School, and the town meeting, where the final budget will be presented, will be held 7 p.m. May 4 also at Salem School.
Residents will vote on the budget during a referendum from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 11 at Town Hall.
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