Public Hearing for Tolland's 2013-14 Budget Proposal on Tap for Wednesday

Residents and taxpayers will get their formal crack at the $51.8 million budget proposal for the 2013-14 fiscal year on Wednesday.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday to accept comment. The hearing - technically part of a special Town Council meeting - is slated for the Tolland High School auditorium.

Here is the breakdown submitted to the council by Town Manager Steven Werbner:

• General Government - $10,907,859.

• Capital Improvement Reserve Fund - $141,991.

• Board of Education - $36,059,250.

• Debt Service - $4,735,625.

The budget proposal represents an increase of $482,491 from this year's adopted spending plan and a percentage increase of 0.94 percent.

Werbner said $357,000 of the increase is from the Board of Education's proposal.

That is a 1 percent increase for education.

General government is going up just $62,515 in Werbner's spending plan, a 0.58 percent increase.

The debt service line item represents an increase of $92,840, or 2 percent.The capital proposal is $29,886 less than this year's capital budget.

Werbner has called the proposed spending plan, "a responsible budget recommendation for these economic times."

In the budget proposal:

• The Zoning enforcement officer's position is eliminated.

• The assistant director of recreation position is gone.

• One truck driver will not be replaced when the current one retires.

• A reduction in bulky waste pickups to six months per year on an every other month basis is proposed.

• Street sweeping is eliminated for the second straight year.

• Funds for over-seeding school board fields are out.

• There is no revaluation contribution.

• Hours are reduced at the Crandall Park swimming pool.