The Board of Finance during the budget process should weigh in on the town’s affordability, not decide where cuts are made, but rather perform peer reviews to assist in efficiencies. There should be no appearance of impropriety between elected officials of the boards, which in my opinion currently exists among four members. The proposed $4.5 million budget increase on top of the 2023-24 increase of $5 million is not sustainable.

We have underpaid paraprofessionals and overcompensated teachers and administrators. Compensation increases from $4,000 to $13,000 dollars plus benefit increases where a "family" Health Care Plan premium is approaching or exceeds $30,000 dollars. The taxpayers’ burden is over 80%. Efficiencies are available, such as a spouse being insured by the employer. Town employees, who serve 100% of the population are receiving compensations far less than comparable positions in the school district which serves 25% of the population, due in part to contracted step changes every year in the school district vs. every other year for town employees. It does not seem right.

For the above reasons, this is a budget that I cannot support.

Michael Schulz

East Lyme