Although the number of no excuse absentee ballots cast for the upcoming budget referendum by midday on April 21 was minimal according to the town clerk’s office, registered residents still have two ways to cast votes other than in-person polling at Newtown Middle School next Tuesday: by utilizing those ballots now, or by voting at a special absentee session on Saturday, April 24, from 9 am to noon, at the Municipal Center.

Residents are being called to vote in advance, or in person at the middle school on Tuesday, April 27, between 6 am and 8 pm. This year, after much deliberation, taxpayers will see a spending plan that represents a net reduction in taxation.

Following its endorsement on April 7, the Legislative Council is sending a municipal budget request of $43,521,856 to voters, a 1.3% spending increase. As a reminder, the municipal budget includes all debt service on capital bonding, including all school district projects.

The council also approved a Board of Education request for voters to consider equaling $79,697,698, also representing a 1.3% increase in spending.

While the overall budget request of $123,219,554 represents a spending increase of 1.31%, after applying all other revenue sources available this year and receiving voter endorsement at the polls, taxpayers would see a mill rate reduction of .32 — from the current year’s 34.76 down to 34.65.

A mill represents one dollar for every $1,000 in taxable property. This proposal represents the second consecutive year of mill rate reductions. In 2020, the mill rate decreased by 0.03 percent.

According to documentation provided by Finance Director Robert Tait, the 2021-22 budget proposal is drawing revenue from the following sources:

*Property taxes: $112,850,056

*Intergovernmental grants: $7,026,158

*Charges for services: $2,332,340

*Investment income: $500,000

*Other revenues: $211,000

*Other financing sources: $300,000

If both budget requests along with additional bonding authorizations are approved as presented, the mill rate for the 2021-22 fiscal cycle will be 34.65. Tait told The Newtown Bee that the increase in budget is “being financed, for the most part, by increase in grand list (new money).”

Added Capital Authorizations

Besides the two budget packages, budget voters are also being asked to accept or reject three capital bonding authorizations: $1.5 million for a gas boiler and LED lighting upgrade at Reed Intermediate School; $3.7 million for the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial; and $5,041,933 for the remaining balance on a local emergency radio and communications system upgrade.

According to CIP documentation, the Reed project includes the replacement of existing boilers with new high-efficiency condensing boilers and upgrade of all building light fixtures to LED. This qualifies the town for utility rebates offered from Eversource.

The project will include boilers, pumps, VFDs, and LED lighting. VFDs, or variable frequency drives, drive electric motors by varying the frequency and voltage of the power supply. In the case of motors tied to HVAC systems, they can greatly improve efficiency and cost savings.

Condensing gas boilers will offer savings from reduced natural gas consumption, while the LED lights will reduce electricity costs due to greater efficiency and also result in less maintenance. The average annual debt service is $98,000 without considering any energy rebates.

Informational Webcasts

In addition to extensive print and online coverage of details leading up to the local budget vote, The Newtown Bee produced two live webcasts to help residents better understand the finer points of the remaining two capital projects on the ballot — including one already partially funded.

A panel discussion recorded and currently available for viewing explained the current status of, and requested expenditures related to, the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial, which will be completed on property near the school grounds to honor the 20 children and six educators who were killed on 12/14.

View this webcast here:

A second webcast aimed to answer questions related to the $5,041,933 balance of the emergency radio system upgrade that will require voter authorization. Voters are being asked to authorize the balance because in 2020, under an executive order due to COVID-19, the Legislative Council authorized $2.5 million for the first phase of the $7.5 million improvement.

The funds authorized last year primarily paid for hardware and equipment that was necessary to order far in advance of the installation, which will commence after the rest of the funding is approved.

Watch our second pre-budget webcast here:

View the entire proposed 2021-22 budget document by CLICKING HERE