Finance Board Cuts Schools, Library After Residents Say 'No More Increases'

The taxpayers’ message was clear Wednesday night at the budget public hearing: We can’t pay any more.

In response, the Board of Finance cut another $94,000 from the , $100,000 from the , and another $1,000 from general government.

The proposed $45.5 million 2011-12 budget will go to referendum on May 25, the second time residents will cast ballots on the issue.

About 60 people attended the hearing. The half dozen residents who spoke overwhelmingly supported a 2011-12 budget equal to the current year spending.

In a , voters soundly rejected a proposed town and school budget of $46.09 million. At a , the finance board heard a proposal to cut $400,000 from that -- $250,000 from the schools and $150,000 from the town – and at the hearing Wednesday residents weighed in.

Following the finance board’s cuts Wednesday night, First Selectman William “Willie” Fritz said the budget increase remains at 1 percent.

He said if approved, the tax rate would be 25.02 mills. It is currently 22.41 mills. Of the increase, 2.39 mills is related to the 2010 revaluation. Because property values in Clinton fell 10 percent, officials are applying the 2.39 mill increase in order to maintain revenue levels. Based on the spending increase alone, the tax rate would increase .22 mills.

Asked if he thinks the budget will pass on May 25, Fritz said, “I don’t know. There were not a lot of people here tonight. I thought there would be more people.”

Fritz seemed surprised by the board’s decision to cut the library from $693,500 to $593,500. Fritz said the library’s proposal for the coming year had no increase over current spending.

“I want to make it very clear that they made that decision,” Fritz said of the library cut. The finance board’s vote was 4-1 in favor of the cuts. Chairman Brad Sullivan voted against.

During the hearing, residents on both sides of the issue showed their passion.

“When you vote down the budget, you hurt my children,” said Mark Kiefer. “You are upset about things, and I understand that, but you didn’t take it out on the superintendent and you didn’t take it out on (First Selectman) Willie (Fritz). You took it out on my children.”

“How did we hurt your children?” a man called out from the audience. The two got into an exchange that quickly grew heated. As Kiefer lost his temper and began to stride up the aisle to confront the man, Sullivan called for order and took the microphone away from Kiefer. At the back of the town hall auditorium, the police officer on duty had to stand between the two men for a moment until things calmed down.

At the start of the hearing, Sullivan asked for residents’ ideas of where money could be saved. Most speakers, however, merely drove home the point that they do not want their property taxes to increase.

“Last year the taxpayers asked for a zero budget and we had to go to three referendums,” said Richard Dondero. “It’s the same thing we are asking this time. These are dire economic times. People are having a tough time making ends meet. You need to give the taxpayers a break.”