Public Hearing Tonight on Town Manager's Budget

A public hearing will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall to give residents an opportunity to comment on the Town Manager’s budget before the Town Council begins discussions.

The budget proposal, released Friday on the town’s website, includes a 4.48 percent increase over the 2010-2011 budget with 3.04 percent on the town’s side and 5.79 percent coming from the Board of Education’s budget. The town’s debt service is $239,735 less in the proposed 2011-2012 budget, for a 2.68 percent difference.

In addition, the plan calls for $1,295,000 in capital improvement projects for next year, including $4 million for sanitary sewer projects, $600,000 for school roof and safety repairs and installation of a wireless network, $270,000 in Town Hall improvements and $200,000 for the cost of revaluation. The Sewer Treatment Plant is also slated for $725,000 in repairs and replacements. A complete, line-item explanation can be found here. Funding for capital projects come from the general fund, CRRA funds, bonding and reappropriation.

 If adopted as is, the budget would total $88,687,339. The mill rate would increase by 1.14 mills to a total of 21.60. This would raise the average homeowner’s real estate taxes by $300 based on the average homeowner’s assessment, which is $258,899.

Budget workshops will be held in the council chambers Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. March 14 and 15 meetings may be held if necessary.

Residents with a variety of opinions have already addressed the Town Council regarding next year's budget, most either in support of funding the schools or urging the council to keep taxes low and spend responsibly.