Town Manager Leads Community Conversation

Approximately 40 Tolland residents gathered at the Fire Training Center Thursday night to discuss the budget with Town Manager Steven Werbner. 

Werbner began the conversation with an examination of the town's projected revenue for the 2012-2013 year. The estimated revenue was tentatively placed at $12,337,775, an increase from last year's $12,174,899. However, the town's projected revenue has still not caught up to the 2009-2010 level of $12,522,937, according to the handout Werbner distributed.

Werbner, who must blend together the municipal budget and the school board-approved education budget, explained that figuring out Tolland's revenue sources influences the budget number that he presents to the town council for approval.

"Revenues are an extremely important part of the equation," he said. In order to combat this year's minimal grand list growth, Werber added that the town has looked at all potential avenues, including building permit fees, overdue library fees and more, to potentially increase revenue, changes that Werbner said may add several thousand dollars.

After Werbner's explanation, many participants expressed concerns about Tolland schools.

"I feel like you're going to push and push, and it's eventually going to break," resident Scott Goldsmith said, echoing the stories and concerns of parents and teachers who said that Tolland schools have reached a budgetary breaking point.

Earlier in the budget season, school officials also classified the superintendent's proposed 5.88 budget percent increase as "critical."

Ultimately, many participants blamed a lack of voter knowledge and turn out for Tolland's sometimes contentious budget process, which went to three referendums last year.

"We're being held hostage by all those people who go out and vote no, no matter what," said Brenda Falusi, after the group discussed concerns that some voters may support or deny the budget based purely on a number, rather than the service impacts associated with the level of budget funding. 

"How do you persuade some of these people to come out and learn something about the process?" Werbner asked of the crowd. He pointed out that budget information and meeting minutes are available on the town website and the school district's website for those who wish to stay informed on important town matters.

Several residents also asked if radical overhauls to certain school and tax system infrastructures could possibly solve budget concerns. In response, Werbner explained that the town is largely restrained from making those changes by taxation and education statutes. However, he did mention that a handful of towns have charters that allow them to vote separately on the municipal and education budgets. Tolland would have to approve a charter change in order to adopt that process.

The capital budget public hearing is scheduled for Febrary 23 at 7:30 p.m. at town hall. A full list of budget process dates are also posted on the town website.