Council Sends $70.4 Million Budget to Referendum

The Town Council has finalized a town budget of $70.4 million for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The new town budget represents an increase of about 3.8 percent relative to last year. Also approved was the water control budget of $4.4 million.

A public hearing on the new budget will be held on Tuesday, April 12 at 7pm. A referendum on the budget will be held on Tuesday, April 26.

The new budget includes an increase to the schools of 2.4 percent over last year’s budget of $37 million. The school board had asked for an increase of 3.47 percent, so it received about two-thirds of the amount it requested. Board of Education President Gary Brochu said the schools have limited ability to control many of the costs that make up the bulk of the budget increases such as utilities, transportation, salary and benefits. 

He also said that a large part of this year’s requested increase was due to magnet school tuition. When Berlin students attend magnet schools in other towns, Berlin schools must pick up the tab. Magnet schools have been rising in popularity recently, and it can be difficult for towns to determine ahead of time just how much of the budget will be allocated to this type of expense.   

Brochu also confirmed that the Board of Education and school officials are still very committed to the new Program of Studies planned for the high school. Despite not getting the entire amount requested to fund the program, Brochu stated, “We are very committed to that (Program of Studies), and we are going to make every effort we can to do it. With only a 2.4 percent increase, we’re going to do what we can to move around accounts and try to preserve it … If that is indeed our budget, we will do the best we can.”

The town budget was approved by a vote of 5-2, with Councilors David Evans and Karen Drost opposing the increase. Councilor David Evans cited concerns about several other items that will affect taxpayers in the near future such as the new high school and cut-backs at the state level. “With respect to the overall budget…  I really don’t think it makes sense to move forward at the level we’re at,” he said.

Mayor Adam Salina asked Councilor Evans specifically which items he would like to cut from the budget. The question kicked off a heated discussion. Councilor Evans suggested modifying the Incentive/Pay for Call Plan for volunteer firefighters. The cost of this program which aims to attract and reward volunteer firefighters is about $120,000.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Morelli said that if Councilor Evans were committed to pulling this item from the budget, he could have made a motion to do so. He also criticized Councilor Evans for making suggestions so “late in the day” and that specific ideas should have been presented during the lengthy budget hearings that took place over the preceding weeks. Councilor Evans also suggested reducing the utilities portion of the school budget and cutting every town department budget by ten percent. Councilor Robert Dacey countered that the budget is “one of the leanest budgets ever” and that any further cuts would hurt the town.

Councilor Karen Drost outlined what she believes to be fundamental differences between those councilors who approve of the budget increase and those who oppose it. Drost said she believes in “frugality” and that while she wants to “reduce the size and scope of government,” other councilors want to maintain the status quo. Councilor Morelli dismissed her statements as platitudes saying she offered no specific suggestions as to how the budget could be cut.