This story has been updated from the April 22 print edition, regarding information on the budget advisory question.

Voters next Tuesday will decide if the proposed $114,182,379 budget ($73,665,065 for the school district and $40,517,314 for the town) is the number that suits Newtown's needs.

The Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education have deliberated many hours these past four months over the needs of the town and schools, before presenting what they believe to be in the best interest of the residents to the Legislative Council. Just as many do in their homes when planning a project, these board members started with a wish list that was whittled down to the necessities. It was not a task done willy-nilly, but one that included many opportunities for residents to be heard, and decisions based on expertise and previous knowledge of town and school operations. They are, after all, the people who voters determined in past elections to be trusted in carrying out their wishes.

The Legislative Council then had the task of making recommendations for further cuts, before settling on a budget to present to voters. Feeling the edge of the ax was Public Works, which was cut $250,000 for capital expenses related to roads; $15,000 from highway capital; $25,000 from Parks & Recreation capital; $25,000 from public building maintenance capital; and $35,000 for information technology equipment. Debt service payments will be cut by $69,366.

The first selectman will also be seeking where more than $69,000 in cuts can still be made, in addition to reductions of $30,916 from the Fairfield Hills Authority line; $5,000 from the Board of Fire Commissioners' request; and $3,000 from the SHOP (Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity) budget.

On the school side, the board is being asked to chip away another $100,000 from its budget.

If voters pass the proposed budget, it will result in a 1.62 percent overall spending increase for the town. While school enrollment may be down, the population continues to grow. According to the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC), Newtown's population in 2000 was 25,031; in 2014, it was 27,960; CERC projects that number to reach 28,427 by the year 2020. It may be incremental, but increased spending to accommodate growing needs - be it social services, public works projects, recreation, or public safety - should not be unexpected. Whether or not that growth is being properly addressed through this budget, or is one that is deficient, or one that needs another swing of the ax is up to voters.

Town and school budgets will be endorsed separately in the April 26 vote, and voters can answer an advisory question as to whether his or her vote was because one or both budgets is too low.

The various boards and council members feel they are presenting a proposed budget that is not frivolous. When votes are tallied next Tuesday evening, we will see if Newtown residents agree.