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04/16/2019 12:00 AMOn April 10, a large contingent of voters packed the Town Hall for a public hearing of the Board of Finance (BOF) over the proposed town and Board of Education (BOE) budgets that will go to a referendum on Wednesday, May 9. The BOF approved cuts from both proposed budgets, leaving the combined proposed budgets at $55,156,268, a 2.88 percent increase from current spending.
Voters will see two proposed budgets at the polls: a town budget of $18,606,312 (a $505,115 or 3.11 percent increase) and an education budget of $36,509,956 (a $985,901 or 2.78 percent increase). On the town side, the BOF approved of cuts to the police overtime budget and town debt, while adding money to the library and Parks and Recreation Department budget. For the education budget, the BOE presented savings it found in health insurance and capital improvements that reduced its initial request; the BOF approved those reductions. BOE debt was also reduced from the original proposal; the debt reductions were made after the town was able to refinance several bonds earlier in 2019.
Additionally, a 1,271,200 appropriated surplus that was to be used for capital projects was removed from the budget to be approved or voted down at a future town meeting.
At the public hearing, tempers occasionally flared as 22 people voiced opinions on both proposed budgets.
Many of the speakers took time to speak in favor of the yet-to-be-filled town planner position, often simultaneously criticizing the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) to which the planner would report. Proponents of the position argued that a fulltime town planner would bring professionalism to town hall—particularly to the often-maligned PZC meetings—as well as help bring economic development to town.
“The town planner I completely support,” said Selectman Phil Sengle, speaking on his own behalf. “Go to a planning and zoning meeting and you’ll see the unprofessional behavior. We need an adult in the room.”
Not everyone supported maintaining the open position. Bruce Farmer urged the BOF to crack down on department wish lists, including the planner position.
“The BOF should cut out the salary for a fulltime planner. That salary is back in the budget for another budget year and no on was hired, plus we have a consultant planner doing the job now without benefits,” Farmer said.
The town planner position was not discussed at the BOF meeting that followed the public hearing, however, and will be included in the current proposed town budget.
Michael Hughes criticized the BOE budget for continually proposing a budget that contain increases, especially in this year’s budget when the Abraham Pierson School will be closing at year’s end.
“I think it’s irresponsible. You’re not looking out for the kids, you’re lining your own pockets,” Hughes said.
Other speakers spoke in favor of the BOE budget, and cited the work paraprofessionals and teachers do for kids as a reason to support the budget.
Karina Gosselink said her son, who is on the autism spectrum, “has been able to thrive in Clinton Public Schools” due to the “care of paraprofessionals and the extracurriculars offered by the schools.”
As to the annual proliferation of the “Vote No” posters around town, they will make a return. Pam Fritz, the president of the Clinton Taxpayers Association, said that the continual tax increases over the last several years have not been sustainable.
“The CTA will fight against these budgets,” Fritz said.
To be eligible to vote in Clinton’s budget referendum, a person must be a registered voter in the town or own a property or a vehicle assessed at more than $1,000. Voters vote on the education and town budgets separately, as opposed to the total budget. This means it is possible for voters to approve one budget and reject the other in the same referendum. Should one or both budgets fail, the BOF will meet to discuss changes to the proposed budget(s), then hold an additional public hearing in the week after the referendum. The week after the addition public hearing another referendum will be held.
In 2018, there were four public hearings held before both budgets were passed. With the exception of 2016, Clinton has required more than one referendum to pass both its budgets every year since 2009.