Clinton Residents Debate Proposed Budget at Public Hearing

On Wednesday night, Clinton residents gathered at the Town Hall to let their voices be heard. The topic? Clinton's new proposed budget, including the town budget as well as the board of Education budget. 

The new proposed budget as presented at the hearing, which heads to referendum Wednesday, May 22, includes $276,625 in overall reductions from the original proposed budget. This would bring the increase in the tax rate to a .25 rise in the mill rate. The new budget numbers are $15,211,584 for the town and $31,309,501 for the board of education.

Residents spoke on both sides, some in support of the budget supporting no more cuts to the current proposal, and others encouraging further cuts and a no-tax increase. 

First, residents were invited to speak on the town budget. While some speakers discussed further the issue of whether or not the town's budget should include a surplus, other speakers were concerned about public safety issues.

"I am a proud taxpayer," said one resident from Long Hill Road. "I get good value for my money. Both my kids get a good education from our town and we get good services. As far as talks of cutting the surplus, you can't. We can't predict the future. We need that surplus. The CTA thinks they have a crystal ball, but that's not the reality."

"If the budget doesn’t pass again," said Police Commissioner Peggy Adler. "The police department will have people working double and triple shifts which is danger to public safety."

Another resident, who moved to town 25 years ago said: "The first place we went to was the library, our wonderful library. When I moved to Clinton, that was the first time I started to enjoy living in Connecticut."

Other residents in favor spoke about the beauty of Clinton and their feeling that they get great services for their tax dollars, particularly mentioning how impressed they were with Clinton's Public Works Department and their recent responses to Sandy and the Blizzard. Others asked: "Where CAN we cut? What can we lose?"

"It is hard to argue with these sentiments," said Kirk Carr, who advocated for cuts. "This is a hardworking town, but we have the highest mill rate on the shoreline, and if this second budget passes, we will widen that gap. We can't ask taxpayers to bear that burden. I believe you have been misled about the cost of the new school, which we know is coming as well. I know there are many people out there who agree with me, that won't speak because they are intimidated and are afraid of being scrutinized by their neighbors."

"I've worked on budgets of up to billions of dollars," said another resident. "You can't do a bottoms up budget: that's easy and that makes a fat budget. What needs to happen is the other way around: You look at last year's budget and tell the departments, ok, do that for 5% less. Find where the waste is, look at what other towns are doing, look at those benchmarks and do it. It can be done. We can have our cake and eat it too."

After the town budget discussion concluded, the board of eduction budget was up for debate, officially. 

"We moved here three years ago," said one resident. "I am proud of public works and our kids education. But then we have to ask, who is paying for this? Maintain these costs, but at what cost? Who is going to be able to afford to live in town? And once the new high school costs come down the line, there will be an exponential increase when those dollars come."

"At the very least, we need to reduce the Board of Education to NBR minimum because we know it produces a surplus every year," said Vin Cimino. "We're going to have to pay for a $64 million school. A new waste water treatment solution, which estimate at $70 million in costs. That bill comes to us. No one wants to take anything away from the children of Clinton, but we can do this at no increase. We can request to the State Board of Education, to reduce the MBR by a very reasonable 1%. That would save another $305,000 and no tax increase, and only a small penalty."

Others disagreed, and said that further cuts to the Board of Education should not be considered. 

"I look at my taxes as an investment," said another resident. "My taxes are reflected in our town, community, and our kids. I support the education budget. This is an investment into our future."

"We already have teachers who are overworked and doing multiple jobs," said another. "I vote we increase the budget so we can afford to hire more teachers and administrators. Our Talented and Gifted Program is just tossed aside because we can't afford to hire the appropriate staff for it."

"I am a recently retired teacher, and both my kids went through Morgan," another stated. "Both of my kids were very well educated. We were the future 62 years ago and now it is our kids to turn to be that future."

Whatever your opinion, if you want it heard, VOTE May 22!