Move Forward and Approve

I appreciate the efforts of the boards of Finance and Selectmen trying to preserve the quality of town services while dealing with the fact that the electorate of the town has turned down two budget proposals, indicating apparently that it wants more cuts to the town budget.

At the public hearing on the budget on July 14, the Board of Finance presented more cuts and heard testimony about what else they might do. The results include a total increase to the town operating budget of 1.36 percent, the lowest in at least five years.

The total increase of $267,000 is less than the debt service required for two voter-approved capital projects, the purchase of Griswold and the Senior Center construction. The increase due to these projects is unavoidable, as it was decided at referendum.

Layoffs and hours reductions have been made totaling more than $200,000; 3½ people are out the door and many others have reduced hours.

The interim tax rate of 19.30 mils, an increase of 0.68 mils, covered the Board of Education increase of $1,559,000 (3.2 percent). The proposed town increase will only require 0.08 mils.

The budget battle in Madison is unfortunate because, in spite of prudent fiscal policies over the years, we find ourselves having to cut more and more things from the town budget to make up for year-on-year cuts in our state funding. Our representatives in Hartford have let the state take our dollars while returning less than four cents to deal with unfunded education, environmental, and other mandates; many cities in Connecticut get upwards of $8 for every dollar they send to Hartford.

Let's not forget the elephant in the room: Griswold. Those who voted for it apparently now don't want to pay for it. Let's move forward and approve this responsible budget.

Tom Banisch
Madison