Board of Education nixes $400,000 from budget

The Board of Education approved a budget cut of $400,000 from its original proposal Monday night in response to demands made by the Board of Finance.

The BOF requested last week that the BOE and other town bodies cut budget proposals to ensure the property tax hike falls below 2 percent.

The BOE slashed the capital budget by about 38 percent and trimmed $60,500 in fuel oil costs from the operating budget. These changes reduced the operating budget increase to 1.33 percent from 1.42 percent.

"We feel that what we've done is a prudent, although somewhat aggressive, reduction," Superintendent David Abbey said.

Capital budget projects eliminated from the board's original proposal include the replacement of exterior keypads at Saxe Middle School and East, South and West elementary schools; painting at the elementary schools, the balancing of the HVAC system; the replacement of a maintenance van and the purchase of vacuum systems in the high school science labs. These canned projects represent numbers six through nine, and part of five, on a list of the top nine capital projects priorities created by board members.

While the BOE's budget accounts for 67 percent of the town's overall budget, town officials requested that it contribute to only 40 percent of the needed spending cuts, according to Board President Nick Williams.

The total budget proposal now represents a 1.96 percent increase at just over $71 million.

"While we were disappointed by the town's request, particularly given the historically low 1.42 percent increase to the operating budget, we were not devastated nor were we completely surprised," Williams said. "I believe this board understands that we are living in times of severe economic turmoil and I personally believe we stand ready to do our part by making responsible budget decision to help ensure the financial viability of our town."

First Selectman Jeb Walker lauded the board for its swiftness to modify the budget to suit the town's financial state.

"This enabled us to get out budget finished on time and I appreciate the spirit of cooperation and collaboration," he said. "I think we're all much better for it."