Residents reject budget...again

Residents again rejected a proposed combined schools and general government budget of $52.9 million in Tuesday's all-day budget vote - 469 to 275 - with some officials predicting that to make more adjustments, services taxpayers have come to expect are likely to be eliminated.

After a contentious public hearing held May 1, the Town Council on May 6 adjusted the proposed budget, cutting an additional $406,000 from the document, $300,000 coming from schools and $106,000 coming from the general government.

Council Chairman Christopher Wazorko said Tuesday he wasn't surprised the proposed budget went down to defeat again in Tuesday's all-day vote held at the firehouse on West Main Street. He said he is convinced a vocal block of taxpayers want to see a zero-mill tax increase. "I understand people are hurting, that things are bad," Wazorko said, adding that the $52.9 million budget would have meant a .87-mill tax increase, about $130 more in taxes for the average taxpayer.

Wazorko and Council Vice Chairwoman Lynn Szach both confirmed to adjust the budget even lower, services likely will be cut or eliminated. Szach said if services such as one of the bulk waste pickups or making sports teams pay for watering their fields, she thinks no matter if the economy does a dramatic turnaround next year, it is likely these services will never be reinstated.

Town Clerk Carol Skultety said in an advisory question, 497 voters said they thought the budget was "too high," with 106 saying it was "too low."

Skultety said a public hearing will take place at 7 p.m. tonight at the Municipal Center. The council will make its budget adjustments, probably at a special meeting Tuesday. Another all-day budget vote will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 27 at the Plainville Fire Department, 77 W. Main St.

Councilwoman Helen Bergenty said she was "flabbergasted" the residents rejected a proposed less than a mill tax increase. "The economy is very bad," she said, adding she will suggest that the proposed schools' budget be adjusted more.

Councilman Dan Hurley said he is disappointed more people don't participate in the budget votes. "People are screaming" about their taxes, Hurley said, but less than 8 percent of the 10,000 registered voters came out to participate.

Councilman Kirby Deegan said the General Assembly has to realize towns are hurting and hopes that state aid will be increased. He said he "extremely disappointed" that services residents deserve and come to expect may be in danger of being reduced or eliminated.

Wazorko said officials will try to adjust the budget further. "It'll be tough, a hard job," he said.

However, no matter what the residents say at the May 27 vote, according to the town charter, the council can set whatever budget it wants, effectively making the third all-day vote moot. Officials said the budget has to be completed and new mill rate set in a timely fashion, so tax bills are mailed on time.