Selectmen Make Cuts to the Town Budget

In wake of the failed referendum, the Board of Finance directed that the town budget be reduced by $175,000 and the school budget by $49,000 prior to a second referendum vote which is scheduled for May 22. 

The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting May 10 to discuss where cuts are to take place in the proposed town budget for fiscal '13-'14.

First Selectman Willie Fritz said he identified $179,625 in reductions: 

Under capital improvements: bathroom renovations at the HCH Library, a truck for the Department of Public Works, and a new police vehicle and interrogation room video system for the police department. 

Under operations: $20,000 each out of the town's social security, electricity and heat/water accounts. 

This brings the new, proposed town budget to $15,211,575, said Fritz. 

"No personnel will be cut at this point," said Fritz. 

Fritz said funds in the town's social security and heat/water accounts were on track to show a possible savings, thus would not be greatly impacted by cuts. 

For the proposed school budget, the selectmen recommended that the Board of Finance raise the level of cuts to that budget prior to the second referendum. 

The selectmen voted to recommend that the Finance Board cut $97,211 from the school budget.