TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER
EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
MARCH 8, 2012
PUBLIC HEARING/BUDGET
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Majority Leader Barbara-Ann Rossi,
Minority Leader, Eric A. Thompson, Councillors Marc I. Weinberg, Linda A. Russo, Ram Aberasturia,
Patricia Harmon and Robert J. Damaschi
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. He announced the exit locations in accordance with Connecticut
General Statutes §29-381 after which the Council joined him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Chair gave a brief overview of the Mayor’s recommended 2012-2013 budget which represents a 4.8% increase in expenses, or $7.6 million. Of the $7.6 million, $3.2 million is going to the Board of Education; $3.3 million is set aside for health benefits; $845,000 is set aside for additional pension costs, which leaves only $204,000 to cover the increase in the town’s operating budget.
Due to revaluation, the Chair stated that the impact of this year’s budget varies dramatically, whether residential or commercial, and therefore, it is difficult to announce the average tax increase to homeowners as has been done in the past. However, since the burden of the tax increase has shifted from residential property owners to business owners, the Chair stated that roughly 60% of all homeowners in East Hartford will see a decrease in their yearly property taxes.
Chair Kehoe announced that the Council, as a whole, is planning to set aside sufficient funds to provide the Board of Education with financial resources to keep the Synergy Alternative High School and the HeadStart program.
The following citizens came forth to speak on the impact that revaluation had on their property taxes:
Janice Allison, 97 Copper Beech Way, asked why 60% of homeowners had a decrease in yearly taxes, while 40% had an increase. Ms. Allison suggested that the increase in the budget should be equalized by disbursing the increase to all residential property owners.
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) suggested that the Town Council hold another public hearing after they present their budget to the residents and before actually setting the budget; (2) questioned the Governor’s proposed $1.7 million grant to the Board of Education; (3) commented on the 40% increase in health benefits for employees; (4) suggested a 3-year wage freeze for all town employees; (5) asked that the Council provide the source of funding for any wage increases and healthcare benefits that are in the 2012-2013 budget; (6) believes that all union contracts should be subject to a public hearing before those contracts are fully executed; and (7) suggested that the Council hold a meeting and have the Town Assessor and Municipal Valuation Services – the entity hired by the Town of East Hartford to perform the
2011 revaluation – to explain how the assessments were formulated for homes in East Hartford.
The Chair announced that the next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 13th at 7PM in Council Chambers when the Council will set the 2012-2013 budget. The next regular Town Council meeting will be held Tuesday, March 20th.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded Bill Horan
to adjourn (7:38 p.m.).
Motion carried 9/0.
Attest________________________
Angela Attenello
Town Council Clerk
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