Though normally towns are not allowed to use money from the state's Educational Cost Share to offset taxes, a supplemental bump granted by the state in May carried an extra provision that allowed towns to do just that. On June 3, the Legislative Council voted unanimously to approve $179,828 to be used to offset the Board of Education budget bottom line, reducing the mill rate from 29.3 to 29.26 mills.

During discussion, the Council focused on whether the funds should be used to reduce taxes or allocated directly to the Board of Education. Members raised questions regarding statutory intent, fiscal impact, and alignment with voter-approved budgets. Some members supported reducing the mill rate, while others expressed concern about providing additional funds to the Board of Education without direct spending oversight. It was also noted that voters approved a budget amount rather than a mill rate and that future fiscal pressures are anticipated due to changes in the grand list and upcoming capital and operating costs.

Councilman Chris Gardner noted next year may also be tough — this year was offset by large increases to the Grand List, which allowed the budget to absorb more of an increase with less of a tax impact, and next year may not see such an increase.

In other Council news, an ordinance to increase the tax exemption for military veterans was approved to go to public hearing at 7 pm Wednesday, July 1. The ordinance will increase the maximum income a veteran can have before they are no longer eligible to $60,000 for a single resident and $70,000 for a couple. The exemption will increase to $20,000, or ten percent of the assessed taxes, whichever is larger. Approximately 44 veterans benefit from the program, which is expected to cost the town $310,000 per year.

"We did the maximum allowed under the state statute," said Council Vice-Chair Jordana Bloom.

The exemption is too late for this year, tax year 2026-27, as the Grand List is set and cannot retroactively be amended. If approved, it will go into effect for the 2027-28 budget year.

Lastly, Councilman Ben Ruben attended an update meeting with administration at Garner Correctional Institute on Nunnawauk Road in Newtown. He said the February 2026 death of an inmate was still under investigation by state police. Newtown Police have no jurisdiction at the facility, and it is Troop A that handled the 87 incidents that occurred at the facility last month.

Ruben noted that the facility is a maximum security facility that handles "level four offenders," violent offenders, many of whom have mental health issues, and who are often contained to their cells 23 of the 24 hours per day.

Ruben also learned that at some as-yet-unspecified time this summer, Garner is planning an escaped convict drill. Ruben hoped to warn the public before it happens so that people "know why there are drones, police officers, and K-9 units everywhere."

Gardner joked that Ruben could stand in as the simulated escaped convict, and Ruben joked back that he might just successfully escape as he has been running a lot recently.

Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.