$84 Million 2011-2012 Budget Re-approved

At a thinly attended meeting last night, the Board of Finance approved the 2011-2012 budget numbers that were presented at the April 7 town meeting. The board approved total expenditures of $84,091,296, which includes Board of Eductation expenditures of $44,3889,014 and town expenditures of $39,702,282.

The numbers will be presented one more time at a town meeting on May 9 before the May 17 referendum, when the town will vote to approve the budget.

Last night's low attendance prompted board chairman Richard Monico to remark that the numbers should be approved without public opposition.

"There were public concerns on the revenue side at the April 7 meeting, but we'll get the state revenue we expect," he said.

The town derives 9.5 percent of its revenue from the state and received $7.8 million this year.

"State entitlements are usually available in March, but we didn't get them this year, so we move ahead with the assumption we'll get $7.8 million again," Monico said.

The state has generated a range of numbers recently, changing them every few days, based on the increased revenue from a sales taxes and decreased revenue from a cut in manufacturing machinery taxes. But Monico believes the end result will be a payout close to $7.8 million.

First Selectman Michael Freda noted that if the state payout is significantly lower, the town will have to reduce its spending, with capital expenses likely the first to be cut.

Board member William Pieper blamed Governor Daniel Malloy for the state payout predicament, charging, "He puts us in violation of the town charter."

The charter states that revenue estimates must be available 35 days in advance of the referendum, which has forced the board to estimate the revenue that will be available based on this year's total.

In the board's discussion of old business, board member Dyann Vissicchio, who handles finance, discussed the high costs of snow removal  this winter. She said the town may qualify for FEMA assistance.

"There's a good chance emergency funds will flow back to North Haven," she said.