February 28, 2013
Budget Discussions
Next week, I will present my proposed town budget to the Board of Finance to begin the discussion on our funding priorities for next year. While every year is a challenge, I anticipate this year will be especially difficult. With increasing costs and flat or declining state aid, we are being stretched out very thin.
The budget I present will concentrate on public safety as that is one of the primary functions of government. Over the last few years, it has become increasingly difficult for the Colchester-Hayward Fire Department volunteers to respond to all the medical calls. With two ambulances, increasing call volume, and multiple demands on the members, we have reached a point where we need to increase our incentives to volunteers.
The boards have decided to enact an incentive plan for the remainder of the fiscal year and I am proposing it be continued into next year. There have been too many times when 911 was called and a response was delayed due to limited staffing. All citizens should get an immediate response to medical issues and the town needs to help our volunteers fulfill that goal.
Another public safety focus will be on some of our grounds and facilities. The town must protect its citizens and employees by maintaining our infrastructure. Lack of maintenance can lead to injuries and damaged equipment. Repairs on some of these facilities are long overdue.
One of the issues both the town and schools face is a rise in the cost of health insurance for employees. These large increases limit the ability to do other worthy town projects and initiatives. Many requests were made in the budget process from departments that had to be cut not because they were bad, but because we simply can’t afford them.
Uncertainty of State Aid
A significant issue that is faced by all municipalities this year is uncertainty around the level of state aid we will receive and through which mechanisms it will be sent to us. Colchester receives nearly $14.9 million in state aid. Under normal circumstances, we begin our budget process using the state aid numbers from the Governor’s proposed budget.
For this fiscal year, Gov. Malloy has proposed a complete restructuring of state aid which shifts funding from certain programs to others. Due to the radical change that is being proposed and the mounting opposition to some of the changes within the General Assembly, budgeting for state aid is going to be very difficult.
More than ever, the budget process will be very fluid as more information becomes available from the state. As always, I urge residents to come to the budget meetings to see the proposals and participate in the discussion.
Full Day Kindergarten
One of the proposals being considered by the Board of Education is expansion of the kindergarten program to be full day for all classes. Currently, only some of the classes are full day while others are half day. Participation is determined by lottery.
This is a very good proposal and one which I hope moves forward. It’s simply not fair to have a child’s education be determined by a lottery. Students deserve an equitable system that is fair to all.
Studies have shown that children receiving a proper early education benefit immensely. As a society, we pay a price for having students enter school when they are not prepared. Many parents are able to properly prepare their child for school, but many others need help. This proposal would give all children an equal opportunity to succeed.
Sincerely,
Gregg Schuster
First Selectman
Previous Selectman Notes can be viewed at
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