Government & Politics
Town Administrator’s $47.4 Million Budget Proposal Calls for 1.26% Spending Increase
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The town budget (not including education spending) would increase 1.26 percent under the proposal presented by Town Administrator Kathleen Buch on Tuesday night to the Board of Selectmen. In total, the proposed budget would increase by $588,452, to $47,424,286. To support the proposed budget, Buch estimates that the mill rate for the town would have to be 16.40, or an increase of 0.6 mills, with 67 percent of the proposed tax rate resulting from education expenses. Buch stressed that the calculation for the mill rate is based on the Grand List for 2015, since the Grand List for 2016 has yet to be finalized. First Selectman Jayme Stevenson also reminded attendees that the estimated mill rate should be viewed as a “gross generalization.”
The budget includes two new full-time positions, four new part-time positions, and reductions in pension and retiree medical costs.