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Times are tough, the toughest that many of us have seen in our lifetime. I don’t have to list the many challenges being faced – you’re living them. So what is the Town doing in these times?
First and foremost, we continue to carefully monitor all revenues and expenses. Currently overall revenues are consistent with revenues at this time of the budget season for the past several years. Tricia Coblentz, our tax collector, is doing an incredible job of collecting long delinquent taxes and Janice LaGrega, the fire department’s administrative assistant, has increased ambulance revenues through working with vendors to ensure insurance payments. Through their new process of “pay what you think you owe” for overdue fines, the Library has increased revenues from overdue fines. And, although many of the revenues tied in to building have decreased, the majority of departments are holding their own.
We spent much of the summer instituting a purchase order system through our financial software. Having this system in place greatly increases the ability of both the CFO and First Selectman to review and question if needed all expenditures. While we have not instituted a freeze, we are on an “austerity program” – all department heads are reviewing all spending to make sure of the absolute necessity of each purchase. Additionally, we’ve entered into a five-year contract to lock in electricity rates at or below current rates.
Why not a freeze? (1) Our department heads, CFO, First Selectman, Board of Finance, and Board of Selectmen regularly monitor all aspects of the budget to ensure we are on track with budgeting. (2) With a zero mil increase last year – no increase in taxes – we at that time effectively froze the budget. It is a responsible budget – one designed to provide you services you need and/or want. As a result, a budget freeze this year would necessitate a reduction in current services.
What does this mean for next year? It’s going to be even tougher. Capital funding must be included in next year’s budget. We have fire engines that are over 20 years old – one that has had significant down time, road repair equipment that’s 40 years old, an excavator that’s not been working since April as we cannot find parts because it’s so old, and a very long list of other capital needs as equipment and buildings age. Combine that with the same issues you’re facing – increases in costs of supplies and materials – as well as increasing needs of community members for food, energy assistance, housing and other social services while providing public health and safety services and keeping the Town running – there is a huge job ahead of us in the coming
months.
The purpose of this column is not to paint a gloomy picture, but to point out the issues and where we are so that we can all pull together – brainstorm ideas, develop solutions, and work as a community to help each and every member of our community. We’ve done it before and can do it again. It’s not going to be easy. But over and over again our residents have risen to the task – our Food Bank is full thanks to the incredible food drive held by the Boy Scouts and St. Andrew’s Church Youth this past weekend. Donations have been made to both the energy assistance fund as well as the homeless shelter. TVCCA has provided additional staff to take fuel assistance applications. Our community takes care of each other; it cares.
We need all of you as we head into tougher times. We need to hear what services are important to you and why. How does what the Town does impact your life? What if those services no longer existed? Are there other services you’d rather have instead of current ones? What is important to you as a Town – not just as an individual? Please come to my coffees and share your story, your idea, and/or your solution. A department head will also be attending each coffee to answer your questions and listen to your ideas. This month’s coffees are: Friday, November 14th, 7:30 a.m. at Bagels & Beyond with Fire Chief Cox, and Thursday, November 20th, 3:00 p.m. at Illiano’s with Town Planner Adam Turner and Zoning Enforcement Officer Craig Grimord.
Together we can meet the upcoming challenges as a community.
Take care,
Linda
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