Town Council Adopts Zero Increase Budget

The Town Council voted 6-0 Wednesday to adopt a , which is comprised of a $19,624,588 general government budget and a $29,544,964 education budget and does not change the tax rate next year.

The finance committee had to , according to Michael France, who chairs the committee.

France said the warm winter created a $300,000 total cost savings in snow removal and heating costs and ultimately, the school budget was reduced by $63,000 and the general government budget was reduced by $53,000. France said the process “was not onerous.”

Councilor Sharon Wadecki said was one of the best budgets that has come to the town council but then expressed some concern.

“I am going to support this budget but I think I would have preferred that we left the mayor’s small tax increase in place because I have this fear that with all these zeroes that we’re suddenly going to have a large tax increase,” she said. “I will vote for this budget but with the caution that I just see this snowballing into a problem.”

The council also voted to table the school board’s request for $20,000 for line drawings of a new wing for the middle school. The mayor and the council discussed the various factors that the board may want to consider and the request was referred to the Permanent Municipal Building Committee for further review.

“I think it's clear that we have to do something," said Steve Eichelberg. He mentioned declining enrollment and a changing educational climate. "This particular change, I’m not in favor of. It needs some more study and needs more discussion.”