MINUTES BUDGET HEARING
WILLINGTON BOARD OF FINANCE
Town Hall
Common Road
Willington, CT 06279
April 7, 2009
Members Present: Members Absent:
Kathy Blessing, Chairwoman Dawn Semmelrock - Alternate
Ken Schoppmann, Vice-Chair
Ann Marie Brown
Mark Jones
Jim Poole
Elizabeth Marco
Chopeta Lyons – Alternate
Also Present: Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Selectmen Eldredge, Palmer & Charette; David Harding, Superintendent of Schools. Chief Makuch, Willington Hill Fire Department; Donna Harding, Town Clerk; Mark Makuch, BOE Chairman.
Chairwoman Blessing called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
Chairwoman Blessing welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Selectman Eldredge.
Mike Eldridge, First Selectman presented the Selectman’s budget proposal. He gave an overview of the budget that was presented to the Board of Finance and listed the departments that were effected by increases and cuts. He informed the audience that the Board of Selectmen saved as much as they could to minimize the increase to the taxpayers. He then answered questions from members of the audience.
Peter Latincsics commented that it looks like the General Government and the K-8 budgets are making up for the Region 19 increase.
Superintendent of Schools David Harding presented the budget proposal for the Board of Education. He explained the changes to this years BOE budget. He then answered questions from members of the audience.
Phil Monty voiced his concern about eliminating a school bus; some of the rides are 45 minutes already.
Peter Latincsics asked if the funds from the stimulus are used for what’s allowed will it open us up to unfounded mandates in the future. Superintendent Harding said that he could not refuse the funds and hopes that it will not lead to that in the future. Peter then asked Superintendent Harding to look into consolidating the transportation for Region 19.
Ralph Tulis is disappointed that the Board didn’t look closer at the revenue side. His taxes are increasing 1-½ times over last year.
BOARD OF FINANCE -2- April 7, 2009
Chairwoman Blessing replied that we tried to be cognizant of the taxpayers. The re-val is causing the taxes to go up.
Vice-Chair Schoppmann said that the average taxpayer would be getting a 2% increase in their taxes this year.
Peter Latincsics asked that the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen meet with Region 19 to fight their increase.
The hearing adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Hlobik
Secretary, Board of Finance
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