Town Leaders Encourage Residents to Attend Budget Hearing

If you have a question about the town budget or just want to voice your opinion about it, tonight is your chance to have a captivated audience of municipal leaders in one room.

A public hearing on the town budget will take place at 7 p.m. tonight, May 9, in the North Haven High School auditorium.

The 2011-12 proposed budget of $84,091,296 represents a 1.2 percent increase in spending over the 2010-11 budget of $83,103,777.

First Selectman Mike Freda said he plans to condense a 91-page slide show of the budget into a short presentation that highlights the major components. Freda will be joined by other town leaders, including Finance Director Ed Swinkowski and other department heads, who will be on hand to answer questions residents may have.

The hope, Freda said, is for residents to leave feeling comfortable about the proposed budget in anticipation of a May 17 referendum when voters will either approve or turn it down.

“I’m going to encourage everyone to vote yes because it represents a budget that is fiscally sound,” the first selectman said.

Among the highlights, according to Freda, is that the budget increase of 1.2 percent is among the smallest in the last 10 years. And were it not for the $1.3 million capital projects included, the proposed budget would be approximately $325,000 less than last year’s.

Freda said approximately 50 percent of the capital request is attributable to two of about 17 items -- the cost of a new fire truck and dump truck. The need for those cannot be overstated, he said, to maintain and enhance the level of service residents expect.

All in all, Freda said of the proposed budget, “I would hope that it indicates that it’s a true testament to the fiscally responsible and prudent steps we’ve taken.”

Among those, he added, were to refinance bond debt; not replace vacant or eliminated town employee positions; and create more internal efficiencies.

He is hopeful residents will come to the meeting tonight. “It provides a good forum for us to listen to the people,” he said. “And it sets a good foundation for the referendum next week.”

Swinkowski said, “I think we did a god job of keeping the expenditures in check as much as possible. More than in the past we’ve tried to cut back. We just didn’t increase anything that we didn’t think is absolutely necessary … we’re just trying to be as frugal and prudent as we can.”

“I hope they [residents] understand that it’s a pretty good budget.” he added. “If they have any questions I hope they come out and ask us.”