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Politics & Government

Tolland Town Manager's Budget Proposal Finds Little Support at Public Hearing

Most of the audience at Tuesday's public hearing on Tolland Town Manager Steven Werbner's proposed budget for next year said his proposed 2.45 percent increase in school spending is too low.

Though Town Manager Steven Werbner’s entire $50.53 million spending proposal for next year was up for discussion at a public hearing Tuesday night, it was the $1.33 million bite out he took out of the board of education’s budget request that the majority wanted to talk about most.

It was clear from public comments that followed Werbner’s presentation in the auditorium at Tolland High School that the majority of those present wasn’t happy about the $34.64 million he’s recommending for town schools next year.

Most of those who spoke, many of them parents or employees of the school district, urged the town council to restore Werbner’s cuts and let voters decide whether vote them up or down at the annual budget referendum on May 3. Many speakers said the cuts would further erode the quality of public school education in town.

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School Superintendent William Guzman and school board had proposed a 6.53 percent increase in education spending in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Werbner, however, citing the uncertain jobs outlook and the state’s projected $3.3 billion budget deficit next year alone, trimmed the recommended increase to 2.45 percent, or $828,896.

Connecticut law gives control of the school budget’s bottom line to the town’s governing body, but how that money is spent is decided by the board of education. If the town council and ultimately voters approve Werbner’s recommendation, the school board would have to find $1.33 million in savings in its budget.

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Werbner has suggested teachers and administrators switch to a high-deductible, health savings account insurance plan similar to the one offered to town hall employees as a way of saving about $1.2 million. More than half of the school board’s proposed $2.21 million spending increase for next year was the result of higher insurance costs.

Under the school board’s initial proposal, the cost per employee of the traditional family health plan is $26,892, Werbner said. That cost to taxpayers would fall to $16,152 per family for those school board teachers or administrators who opt for the HSA plan.

Werbner acknowledged there were residents in audience who were advocates for education and others who want lower taxes and he was trying to find a realistic compromise that won’t completely satisfy either camp but one that is reasonable in light of current economic conditions.

Tolland Intermediate School Art Teacher Susan Bezzina, the first in the audience to speak, said current funding levels force teachers to use their own money for some supplies because there is not enough money in the budget. She urged that cuts be restored.

“We need to feed our children’s minds, not just their stomachs,” Bezzina said.

Resident Paul Krasusky said the quality of the public schools in town was one of the main reasons he moved to Tolland, and he now has three children enrolled here. He cited reports that list Tolland as among the municipalities in Connecticut that spend the least on local education, a trend that will not attract more families to town.

Following tradition, about 9 p.m. council Chairman Frederick Daniels asked for a show of hands and found overwhelming support in the audience for increasing Werbner’s budget recommendation. While 54 wanted it increased, nine liked it the way it is and four wanted it cut further.

 Resident Sam Belsito was among those in the minority who voiced support for Werbner’s budget.

“The taxpayers are saying enough is enough,” Belsito said, noting the cost of educating local children has risen annually since 2001 and will reach $34,637,431 next year if Werbner’s budget recommendation is adopted.

Webner is proposing an overall town government budget of $10,832,492 next year, an increase of 1.98 percent over current spending. In addition to this and his school budget proposal, Werbner is also recommending a debt service appropriation of $4,751,796 (+2.79%) and capital improvements, $305,708 (+14.63%).

When these are combined, Werbner’s total budget proposal for next year is $50,527,427, an increase of 2.45 percent. To pay for it all, he anticipates the town will receive $12,489,515 from sources other than local property owners and will kick in another $230,000 from the town’s fund balance.

Property owners will have to pay the rest, $37,807,912, which would require a tax rate of 29.99 mills. If all this happens, property owners would owe the town $2,999 for each $100,000 in assessed property value, which would be a 2.88 percent increase over the current tax rate.

The town council is scheduled to meet April 5 to discuss Werbner’s recommendations and make any changes that council members deem appropriate in preparation for presenting it to the public on April 26 then sending it to referendum on May 3.

If the budget is voted down on May 3, the council will make modifications to it and hold subsequent referenda every other Tuesday until voters approve a budget.

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