Montville - The town held public hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday to hear public opinion on its nearly $56 million budget, but residents had little to say.

At Tuesday's hearing, which was focused on the Board of Education's flat budget, not a single member of the small audience made a comment.

On Wednesday, two people - a former mayor of the town and a current member of the Town Council - spoke about the general government budget.

The overall budget increase is less than 1 percent, and the tax rate increase is 0.17 mills, but both speakers thought the town could do better.

Howard R. Beetham, former mayor of Montville, said he supported a comment made by Councilor Billy Caron that the public deserved a zero tax rate increase.

When it became clear that no other members of the public were going to speak, Councilor Rosetta Jones took the opportunity to advocate for a flat budget.

She said it should be possible for the council to find $170,000 to cut, preventing a budget increase from "taking money out of the pockets of citizens."

She questioned why three departments - youth services, senior services and recreation - were allotted more money than they requested. "I don't think taxpayers have that kind of money," Jones said.

The Town Council will be considering the budget for approval at its next meeting, at 6 p.m. on May 13 in the Council Chambers of Town Hall.

k.catalfamo@theday.com