A $135-million “no tax increase” operating budget for 2015-16 comes before voters next week, along with six capital spending questions that include a $3.7-million plan to improve the town’s emergency radio system.
Voting in the budget referendum will be Tuesday, May 12, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with all districts voting at Yanity gym.
The combined budget is $134,967,716, which represents a 1.20% increase over the current year’s approved spending.
The Board of Finance put together a budget that needs no tax increase by drawing $1.85 million from the town’s roughly $13-million surplus fund balance.
Still, First Selectman Rudy Marconi said he’s concerned about a low referendum turnout by voters — something that has been a problem.
“And in a year where there is no increase, people may have tendency to feel, ‘Well, it’s a no-brainer. That shouldn’t be any problem passing.’ And that’s when it fails,” he said.
“So if you do agree with the budget, containing a zero percent increase in taxes, we still need to have your vote.”
The referendum will have nine questions, the first three on aspects of the proposed operating budget:
• Question 1 is $46,139,000 for a town budget that includes $34,024,000, a 2.23% increase, for the selectmen to run town departments — police, fire, highway, parks and recreation, town hall offices — and $12,117,000 for debt service, which is down 6.73% from this year.
• Question 2 is $86,078,000 for the Board of Education to run the school system, a 0.89% increase.
• Question 3 is $2,750,000 for road repairs and repaving, which is up some 48% from this year’s $1,850,000 road work budget.
Then come six questions on various capital projects and purchases, totaling over $6 million — money that would be borrowed and paid off over probably 15 or 20 years, with interest.
• Question 4 is $3,742,000 to design and build a new “public safety radio system” for police, firefighters and other town departments.
• Question 5 is $1,250,000 for a walk-bike path off Farmingville Road and $150,000 for sidewalk work, with state grants expected to cover the sidewalk work and $1.1 million of the bike path.
• Question 6 is $176,500 to replace one of the Mack dump trucks the Highway Department uses to plow snow and for hauling.
• Question 7 is $230,000 to replace one of three fire department ambulances.
• Question 8 concerns three construction projects totaling $415,000: a new roof for the Town Hall Annex ($190,000), elevator renovations in the Venus building ($125,000) and drainage work at Lake Mamanasco ($100,000).
• Question 9 finances two school projects totaling $497,000 — energy conservation work ($357,000) and “technology infrastructure replacement” ($140,000).
For more on the proposed capital spending, see related story.
Schools
The $86-million school budget proposal would add a net of just over three staff members, with most of the increases coming in special education teachers and psychologists, while the reductions are mostly elementary classroom teachers. The school system projects an enrollment decline of 108, from 5,162 to 5,054 students, mostly at elementary levels.
“The budget focuses on improving programs for our students,” Superintendent Deborah Low said.
“Next year’s initiatives support increasing academic rigor, strengthening student preparation for the future, and ensuring a positive school climate,” she said.
“This budget addresses student needs, builds logically on prior improvements, and moves us forward at a very reasonable cost.”
Roadwork
After two hard winters that were tough on roads, the selectmen proposed increasing the roadwork budget from $1.85 million to $3 million, but the finance board approved $2.75 million.
“Driving our roads, there are potholes,” Marconi said at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting. “I think we’ve gotten a call on every single one of them.”
Marconi urged voters to take part in the referendum.
“We still need to have you exercise your right and vote,” Marconi said. “Either vote for or against the budget — please.”