Public tells Town Council thoughts on proposed budget

Members of the Town Council had said they wanted the public to attend a special meeting March 27 in order to give direction to the board on what to do about the  schools and general government budget. However, they got what they wanted - in spades - as residents demanded the schools part of the budget be kept the same or cut from its originally unveiled budget of $33.9 million.

The general government side of the budget originally was $14.7 million, with about $57,000 pared from it at recent council budget workshops. By the end of the two weeks of workshops, council members had proposed a 2.02-mill tax increase for 2008-09, but wanted to make the increase close to a mill by cutting another $1.3 million from the schools part of the budget. However, the council Monday ended up cutting an additional $1.2 million from the proposed Board of Education budget, sending a combined schools and general government budget of $53,276,017 for 2008-'09. The document now goes to public scrutiny at the all-day budget vote from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 29 at the Plainville Fire Department, 77 W. Main St. If the budget is passed, it would mean a 1.17-mill increase in the tax rate.

Residents who spoke at the  special meeting March 27 told the council that many  are having trouble making ends meet because of skyrocketing oil prices and a sputtering economy.  Board of Education officials, including Chairwoman Becky Tyrrell, former Chairman Patrick Ringrose and Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Binkowski warned against hardships for the schools if the original 7.3-percent increase unveiled March 4 wasn't kept intact. Binkowski said programs such as the Bushnell Partnership could be in danger of being eliminated.

Plainville resident Jack Mastrianni argued that many residents are on fixed incomes and asked the council to take another look at the  schools part of the budget.

Dom D'Onofrio Sr., of Plainville, said he is not against the kids getting a good education, but the  Board of Education needs to tighten its belt. He pointed out that because of the bad economy and financing crisis, 56 homes in Plainville are in the process of being foreclosed on by banks. He said residents "cannot afford it, enough is enough!"

Another resident, Bruce McKinnon said recent property taxes have increased drastically and urged the council to make a tough decision.

For the better part of two hours, residents asked the council to cut the proposed education budget. Not everyone who spoke wanted to the schools to be cut. Residents Jeff Blanchette and Mary Couture separately told the council they supported the proposed budget for the schools.

After the council had heard from the residents, attention turned to digesting the information before a final decision on what budget numbers would be made Monday. Still another public hearing is set for 7 p.m. April 28 at the Municipal Center, a day before the first all-day vote.