Preston ― Supporters of the Preston Public Library and town schools filled the room Wednesday night as the Board of Finance prepared to cut budgets in the hopes of winning voter approval at the May 11 town meeting and first referendum May 25.

The finance board last week had asked the Board of Selectmen to present ideas for cutting $100,000 from the town budget, and the Board of Education was asked to cut $300,000. Both presented their changes Wednesday.

The education budget was reduced by $250,000 in spending, and projected revenue raised by $50,000 in an anticipated boost in the state Education Cost Sharing grant. First Selectwoman Sandra Allyn-Gauthier cut $66,500 in spending and said other items could be shifted to grant funding.

The reductions shaved two-thirds of a mill off the projected tax rate, now at 23.24 mills to cover the $4.9 million town budget and $14.53 million school budget. The new tax rate is lower than this year’s 27.88 mills, but homeowners could face sharp tax increases after a property revaluation.

Property owners can calculate their taxes by taking their assessed values, dividing by 1,000 and multiplying by the tax rate.

The budgets will be presented at the town meeting at 7 p.m. May 11 at Preston Veterans’ Memorial School. The referendum will be Thursday, May 25.

Prior to the cuts Wednesday, speakers reacted to a comment last week by finance board member Andrew Sawyer that the town could eliminate the $224,000 library budget. Sawyer on Wednesday addressed the more than 70 people in the audience, saying he was “brainstorming” on ways to cut the budget. He said other towns spend less on library services, covering more costs with user fees.

Sawyer said the Parks and Recreation Department seems to be more productive with its $130,000 budget, generating revenue with program fees.

“As I look at the general trend in this budget, there needs to be more pay-to-play across the board,” Sawyer said. “One thing I noticed in the schools, we spend $50,000 for kids to be in sports and extracurricular activities. A lot of schools are fee-based. I assume that’s on the docket for the school board, and if it’s not, I suggest it, and I think the same is true for the library.”

Speakers objected to any plan to cut or eliminate the library. Kate Allingham, president of the library board of trustees, said the library is “more valuable than just a place to borrow books.” She said the library serves residents of all ages with materials, programs and services, such as printing and internet access. It houses Preston Historical Society collections and assists people doing research.

“By funding our library, Preston residents are granted access to library materials and services in Preston, but also other state libraries,” Allingham said. “Without a town library, residents’ access to any other Connecticut library would be in jeopardy.”

Other residents praised library staff for their services and partnerships with town agencies and the school system.

Resident Susan Strader told the finance board that residents are not objecting to the budgets, but to the “poor timing” of the revaluation, which came during a housing boom which escalated home values.

Strader urged senior citizens to take advantage of state tax breaks for seniors and urged the town to enact senior tax breaks as well.

c.bessette@theday.com