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05/01/2023 03:06 PMOn May 9, Old Saybrook voters get a chance to weigh in on the proposed budget of $50,276,744. Polls are open at Old Saybrook High School from noon to 8 p.m.
The proposed budget combines spending requests for both the town and the Board of Education (BOE) and represents a $1,899,041 or 3.90% increase over the current year’s budget. The proposed education budget is $28,829,506, a $1,356,165 or a 4.90% increase. The proposed town budget is $21,447,238, a $542,876 or a 2.60% increase.
Under the current proposed budget, the mill rate would increase by .38 mills to 20.46 mills.
“We are targeting a mill rate increase of .38, and this rate will be finalized following the referendum on May 9. For Old Saybrook, this mill rate increase is considered average to below average when compared to historic increases and provides a budget that allows the town to continue to provide all services,” Finance Director Lee Ann Palladino said last month.
Proposed capital projects—spending on items that last longer than a budget cycle, like vehicles or roof repairs— include “...police vehicle lease, continued work on town roads, building maintenance, and investment in technology infrastructure,” according to a budget summary document prepared earlier this year by First Selectman Carl Fortuna.
“The town set aside funds to update the town’s natural hazard mitigation plan, update Trask Park by resurfacing the basketball court, repairing the tennis court, and adding wind screens. The largest project will be replacement of the HVAC system at Town Hall,” Palladino added.
With a referendum a month away, the budget process is nearly complete. As part of that process, a public hearing on the budget was held on March 7, during which Fortuna and Superintendent of Schools Jan Perruccio made presentations about the town and education budgets. The meeting was lightly attended by members of the public.
Last year, voters in Old Saybrook the budget passed in a landslide margin. The town budget was approved with 179 votes in favor and 17 against. The education budget passed by a margin of 183 in favor to 13 opposed.
Palladino said that more in-depth information on the budget can be found on the town website.