Politics & Government

Board of Finance Holds Public Hearing on Budget

Potential tax impact of proposals given but action not expected until later in the week.

If 2012-2013 spending plans and projected revenues remained unchanged the “average” homeowner would pay an additional $81 in taxes, according to information provided at the Board of Finance Public Hearing Tuesday night.

The number is based on the proposed budget, small growth in the grand list and a home with a market value of $361,429 and an assessed value of $253,000.

Under the scenario the mill rate would go from 26.28 to 26.60, representing a 1.22-percent tax increase.

Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

However, the information provided Tuesday does not mean the board will go forward with those numbers but was designed to give residents an idea how the proposed spending plan would impact them. 

In total, the proposed budget is $34,864,474, a 2.5-percent increase over the 2011-2012 plan

Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Board of Selectmen’s proposed budget is $9,487,222, a 2.9-perecent increase over the current year’s approved budget.

The Board of Education has presented a $23,515,042 proposal, a 4 percent increase and the Board of Finance estimate is $1,861,850 a 14.5 decrease.

Assuming the current mill rate and projected revenues those numbers leave a $348,276 “gap” board chairman Dick Ohanesian said. The board can fill that by raising taxes, cutting spending or a combination of the two, he said.

A handful of residents spoke at Tuesday’s hearing, most to urge the finance board to avoid cuts in the school budget.

Jean Mix said her children have “have benefitted tremendously” by attending schools in Canton.

“We’re really getting a bang for our buck,” she said. “The kids are doing wonderful on their tests and we're spending on the low end per student.”

Michael Leonard, a Canton Public Library trustee, was the only one who spoke on another budget topic. He urged the board to add funding for a teen librarian, a position he said has been request for the past four years.

“The request is an important one that would make a difference in the community,” he said.

Ohanesian told Leonard the finance board could not add a specific item to the Board of Selectmen's budget and suggested he go before selectmen with the request.

Prior to the public comments, officials presented information on the spending plans.

First Selectman Richard Barlow told the board and the public about some changes in the budget, including an increased commitment to roads, the trimming of the building official’s hours from 19 to 16, additional hours (from 15 to 25) for the administrative assistant to the senior and social services coordinator and $35,000 less for snow removal.

“On behalf the Board of Selectmen, I’m proud to pass this budget on to you,” Barlow said.

Board of Education Chairwoman Beth Kandrysawtz and School superintendent Kevin Case also addressed attendees.

Kandrysawtz said health insurance costs were estimated to increase $711,142, presenting huge budget challenges.

Case talked about areas of savings as well as some new initiatives. For example, the budget plan includes the elimination of eight non-certified positions.

New programs he mentioned included introducing Spanish in 5th grade, rather than 6th, new textbooks for 7th-grade social studies and writing and restoring the interscholastic field hockey program at Canton Middle School.

Case also said Canton spends $12,538 per pupil, 128th of 169 towns in the state and less than the state average of $13,993.

On Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the community center, the Board of Finance will hold a workshop and is expected to set a budget proposal to pass on to voters.

The budget will be voted on at a annual budget meeting on Monday, May 14 unless it is petitioned to referendum.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here