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$83 Million North Haven Budget Passed in Second Vote

By a 365-vote margin, town voters approved a 2010-11 budget of $83.1 million in a referendum Tuesday. The new budget means an increase of 2.7 mills for the year starting July 1, bringing the tax rate to 26.18 mills.

This spending plan is about two percent higher than the current $81,439,016 budget.

The vote was 2,147 to 1,782. Nearly 25 percent of voters turned out in the five voting districts. Last month, about 21 percent voted in a budget referendum that defeated an $85 million plan by a two to one margin.

In the second annual budget meeting June 7, most speakers urged a “Yes” vote and voiced fears that injurious cuts would ensue if the second try failed.

The mill rate hike of more than 11 percent will increase the average home tax by $253, according to First Selectman Michael Freda.

The new budget allocates $39.15 million for town services and $43.94 million for schools.

In order to lower the proposed budget, town expenses were cut by $1.14 million, while the schools reduced spending by $850,000.

Town side reductions were made in the Public Works Department, although the popular loose leaf collection was spared. In addition to the public works reductions, the library will lose $19,000 for books, the police will not hire to fill vacancies left by two retiring officers (saving $185,000), department heads’ salaries were frozen, pool hours were reduced, and various capital expenses totaling $343,000 were axed.

The school budget cuts were helped by greater-than-expected attrition and the elimination of eight positions.