Annual Town Meeting to Be Held Tonight

Farmington will hold its annual Town Meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the Farmington High School auditorium. While no longer the place where the town votes on the upcoming year’s budget, it is the time for all the town's electors to gather, hear an update on the town’s business and voice their opinions.

Tonight’s meeting will focus on the Town Council’s recommended budget for 2011-2012. The budget includes a 3.22 percent increase over last year’s budget. A 3.97 percent proposed increase in the tax rate would bring it to 21.27 mills. The town’s side of the budget is set to increase by 2.8 percent, the Board of Education’s budget by 4.8 percent and debt service would fall by 2.7 percent. The council recommended a decrease in the capital improvement funds, which would fall from $950,000 – steady for the last three years - to a proposed $780,000.

The $6.4 million capital improvement budget for next year would include:

• $250,000 for Irving A Robbins Middle School roof replacement, $230,000 for school technology and $50,000 for safety and code compliance
• $4 million for a sanitary sewer project and $25,000 for environmental code compliance for the Engineering Department
• $365,000 for new equipment for the Highway Department including a dump truck, rotary motor and two 3 cubic yard wheel loaders
• The Fire Department would receive $100,000 to replace turnout gear, breathing apparatus and fire hose
• The Police Department would receive a $30,000 24-hour supervisor’s SUV, $50,000 for a communications upgrade and $65,000 for technology improvements
• The Town Manager is requesting $270,000 in improvements to Town Hall, including work on its failing HVAC system and a new telephone system and $200,000 for the upcoming revaluation
• The wastewater treatment plant would receive $725,000 to repair and upgrade sewer lines, pump stations and the plant
• Westwoods Golf Course would get $50,000 for a new rotary mower

Residents are invited to attend the Town Meeting and share their opinions with the Town Council and fellow residents in preparation for the May 5 referendum on the budget.