April 24 Referendum –

Town Set To Vote On $72.9 Million Budget

By Steve Bigham

Nearly 100 people gathered on the steps of Edmond Town Hall late last week to pose for a photo to show their support for the proposed town budget for 2001-2002. They believe the budget is well worth the increased taxes because there is a little something in the spending plan for everyone.

There is optimism that the budget will be approved, despite its significant increase. In addition to the normal, everyday operating expenses, next year’s budget proposal also includes money for a new school, the purchase of Fairfield Hills, additional municipal office and recreation space and, as well as tax relief for the elderly and fire and ambulance volunteers.

The $72,980,195 million budget goes to the voters next Tuesday at an all-day (6 am to 8 pm) referendum at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street.

The spending package is up $6 million over the current year’s budget and, if approved, will raise taxes by more than 7 percent or 2.3 mills (from 29.5 to 31.8 mills).

As it now stands, a home assessed at $175,000 would see its taxes jump from $5,163 to $5,565, a $402 increase. Council members have pointed out that this is a special year, particularly with the funding needs brought on by the proposed construction of the 5/6 school and purchase of Fairfield Hills. These two projects, although not expected to be approved until June, will increase debt service costs from $7 million to $8.2 million. The added money will be used to pay the first installment of a 20-year bonding issue for the two capital projects.

The biggest portion of the town spending, $42.4 million (or 58 percent), will go to fund the Board of Education. That budget represents a 7.5 percent increase over the current budget. School leaders had sought a somewhat larger budget, but were required to make $800,000 in cuts in order to bring it within the council’s 7.5 percent guideline.

The remainder of the budget, $30.2 million (31 percent), will go to fund town services and debt service. The town portion of the budget prepared by the Board of Selectmen is up 7 percent, which is mainly due to the debt service increase mentioned above. Debt service represents nearly 11 percent of the overall budget.

A year ago, Legislative Council Chairman Pierre Rochman spoke out against the proposed budget, which he felt was too high, but had been approved by the council anyway. At the time, he urged voters to vote against the budget and they responded in kind. This year, the budget is up once again, but Mr Rochman is now urging passage of the budget, as is the entire Legislative Council.

“Considering the growth we’ve seen in town the last bunch of years, considering this budget accommodates the 5/6 school and the possible purchase of Fairfield Hills and some municipal space needs, in view of all that, a 7.8 percent increase is really quite conservative. I was afraid when it all started that we would be looking at something like a 10 percent increase, and I probably would have argued for it,” Mr Rochman said.

By deducting inflation, the town is looking at a four percent increase, he noted, adding that the increase is not much when you consider all that the town is getting.

Council members are also telling residents that if the budget is defeated in a town vote, they may have to consider delaying the construction of the school and/or take the Fairfield Hills purchase out of the plans.

“I don’t think those are reasonable options. Defeating the budget could have some pretty catastrophic implications,” Mr Rochman said. “If people think that by defeating the budget, we may take money out for Fairfield Hills and that would reduce the mill rate, that would be incorrect thinking because we still have municipal space needs, police, fire, Parks & Recreation, etc.”

Taxpayers will be called on to pay for 75.7 percent of the budget, a figure that continues to go up as the State of Connecticut, town officials say, continues to put the burden on the individual homeowners.  The rest will come from state revenue (13.3 percent), local fees and other revenues (7.2 percent), and surplus (3.8 percent).

Last year, voters rejected a proposed $68.9 million budget (up 2.9 mills) the first time around before finally approving a $66.8 million proposal (up 1.6 mills) at a town meeting two weeks later.

Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed is asking school supporters to vote in favor of the budget.

“I think this budget represents an important opportunity for Newtown to address its future in a controlled and constructive fashion. I regard the passage of the budget to be an important opportunity for Newtown to structure its future in a positive direction,” he said.

At first, Board of Education members appeared reluctant to support the budget, pointing out that council reductions meant that some new teachers could not be hired. However, the school board did finally resolve to support the budget, believing that a defeated budget would only result in further cuts.

“This budget addresses an awful lot of issues,” Dr Reed added. “It’s a budget that provides for increased property relief for seniors, recreational needs for town, municipal space needs and purchasing of Fairfield Hills, as well as normal operating budget needs.”