Zero Increase Budget Approved By Finance Committee

The finance committee voted to recommend a $49,169,552 budget to the town council Monday. The number represents a zero tax rate increase from the current year’s budget and the town council may vote to approve the budget, as presented, on Wednesday.

Municipal expenditures exceeded revenue by more than $400,000 before last Wednesday when the to the town. The district had saved that much in heating expenses and any surplus money in that account is transferred to the current year's capital account by default and school had no use for it there.

After accounting for the $200,000, members of the committee had to balance a spending plan that exceeded revenue by $207,248 and they made the following cuts:

• $40,000 that was budgeted for snow removal this year was transferred from public works to a general goverment surplus account.
• $10,000 was moved from town council contingency fund to a surplus account. Finance Committee Chair Michael France said the money in the $20,000 account will be used for unbudgeted costs as they arise.
• The committee reduced the town council’s legal fees fund by $10,000. France said last year the council paid $500 in legal fees, and the fund is budgeted for $20,000.
• The committee reduced the funds in the health coverage reserve fund by $100,000.
• The committee reduced the budgeted amount for a revaluation from $56,000 to $46,000.  A full revaluation typically costs $250,000 to $300,000 according to France. He said the town typically budgets for the full amount in installments over five years.
• The committee decided not to fund . As proposed, taxpayers would have fund $25,000 of the request, but the entire item has been removed from the 2012-13 budget.

“The decision was made last year to not spend the money,” said Rodolico about funding repairs to the current police building. “I think if they stay there, we’re probably moving in the direction of a new building.”

Early estimates to repair the current police department building are around $70,000 and estimates to move the department and dispatch to the former Gales Ferry school exceed the $75,000 request.

The mayor said he’s in discussion with the police department about their needs and the costs associated with moving the police department and dispatch to other locations around town, but nothing is certain yet.

“We’re not ready to make the decision,” said committee member Sharon Wadecki. “I don’t think we have enough information.”

The town council may vote to approve the budget Wednesday. The public hearing on the budget as presented is April 19 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium and the town meeting is on Monday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the same location. The meeting adjourns to referendum on Tuesday, May 22 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.