UPDATE (February 12, 2020): This story has been updated to change information on the Public Hearing provided to The Newtown Bee. The February 13 Public Hearing of the Board of Finance is happening at 7 pm, not 7:30 as initially reported.)

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In relatively short order on February 3, following a final January 30 session reviewing Edmond Town Hall, IT, and Police Department requests, the Board of Selectmen amended and sent a municipal budget proposal to the Board of Finance for review totaling $43,211,955 — a 2.45 percent bump from the current spending plan.

The only substantive adjustments from the original budget request that was revealed 13 days earlier was made to the Board of Fire Commissioners’ proposal. During discussion on that department’s section Monday, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said the fire commissioners originally requested $73,000 to cover training expenses, a $2,000 increase.

When he and Finance Director Robert Tait reviewed the request, they saw a measurable amount of that current budget line was unspent, so they adjusted the line down to $63,500. But Mr Rosenthal reported that he subsequently learned the commissioners would expend the entire $71,000 with the bulk of training still to happen during the springtime.

As a result, he asked — and received unanimous support for, in a motion by Selectman Maureen Crick Owen — to amend the training line to equal the current year. The selectmen also unanimously approved some adjustments between the lines for capital acquisitions and insurance for the Newtown Hook & Ladder (H&L) and Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue (SHFR) departments.

Mr Rosenthal explained that in the current budget, H&L had decided to forego any insurance subsidy in exchange for maximizing their capital line; this year, the company is requesting that an insurance expenditure be re-established and the capital line be proportionately reduced.

The first selectman noted that SHFR is also seeking a measurable increase to its insurance line, while downsizing its capital allotment. He disclosed that in 2019, SHFR received $23,500 for capital and $19,200 for insurance, while this year, the company is requesting $14,600 for capital and $22,500 for insurance.

In other discussion, Selectman Crick Owen pointed out that the Parks & Rec Department had requested capital funds to purchase a Ford F-550 commercial grade pickup truck, but she would support the first selectman’s decision to allocate funds to acquire an F-350 class pickup instead.

Ms Crick Owen also said she did not support a proposal to trade a recently off-lease commercial Toro mower in exchange for leasing a new model, plus acquiring an additional tow-behind mower deck.

During a previous budget review session, Parks Supervisor Carl Samuelson said the relatively low amount of use on the existing mower would justify a high trade-in, and that having the second, tow-behind mower would be beneficial as back-up if the Toro were being serviced and to supplement the self-contained mower during heavy spring mowing periods.

Ms Crick Owen, however, agreed with an earlier assertion by the first selectman that the department should keep and continue to utilize the existing Toro unit, and forgo acquiring the second mower deck.

During the discussion, Selectman Jeff Capeci suggested developing a formal capital replacement plan similar to one being used for police vehicles.

“We should be able to see what’s on the horizon instead of getting hit with a presentation on a [new] capital item during the budget review,” he said. His colleagues agreed.

Mr Rosenthal added that a new accounting and finance software system being implemented now will allow much better tracking of usage and maintenance on various town-owned vehicles and heavy equipment for both the Parks and Public Works departments.

Moving to amendments, the selectmen transacted several that readjusted the Fire Commissioners’ bottom line to $1,439,950 — accommodating requested changes in the training, capital, and insurance lines.

Before approving the adjusted full budget request, Mr Rosenthal also mentioned Mr Tait was looking into whether the fire departments could include their liability along with their property & casualty coverage under the municipal policy. He said if it is permitted and agreed upon, any anticipated savings could factor into deliberations as the finance board and legislative council review the spending plans in the coming weeks.

Mr Capeci said he would support the proposal as amended.

“This budget is reasonable — what you cut was capital and HR is untouched,” he said. “This is a same services budget.”

With the budget proposal, which also includes debt service on all capital borrowing including for school district projects, complete, selectmen will return to more routine matters, along with continuing presentations on future options for the Fairfield Hills campus.

Mr Rosenthal told The Newtown Bee that the only other February selectmen’s meeting will on Tuesday, February 18, and will begin with the next Fairfield Hills presentation at 7 pm. By around 8:15, the first selectman expects to move on to the regular selectmen’s consent agenda and other potential business items.

According to finance board Chair Sandy Roussas, her panel will receive the combined Board of Education and Board of Selectmen budget on Monday, February 10, and will hold a public hearing at 7 pm on Thursday, February 13.

After the Thursday hearing, the finance board will begin a review of the school district proposal, Ms Roussas said.