New Fairfield’s Board of Finance (BOF) met for their first weekly session of the budget season on Wednesday, March 8. The Board is challenged with strategizing for, and making decisions on, Town and education proposed budgets that amount to a 13% increase. Zoom meetings allow the public to join and comment, which the BOF explained is critical in gauging community sentiment. They effusively thanked members of the public who wrote emails and letters, and for speaking at the meetings whether for or against making changes to the proposed budgets. All BOF members also expressed appreciation for the quick responses they received from the Town and school staff to questions that arose at their March 4 hearings.

Medical costs were chief among the evening’s discussion topics—with the understanding that the BOF’s medical insurance consultant will be in attendance at their March 15 meeting. It was noted that the advisor always recommends a large amount to budget and the BOF uses that knowledge to find a reasonable amount for taxpayers. Last year, the BOF admittedly gambled too low and were hit with more costs than they expected, ending in a shortfall. Finding an agreeable number will be tricky for BOF members, some of whom expressed uncertainty in possibly under funding in this area, while others are more comfortable with the ebb and flow nature of budgeting more riskily for medical.

Though inflation has hit the health industry, along with all other areas, some members are buoyed by reports that claims appear to be trending downward, while others are skeptical that the downtrend is accurate. The BOF typically holds off on setting the final medical budget number  until April. After much discussion, one option that was highlighted as needing further discussion is the possibility of using all revenue surplus that results from the current fiscal year toward the medical fund. Ms. Cheryl Reedy pointed out, given that the medical is a large driver in the budget increase, “if we can find money in the current fiscal year, we give ourselves a little bit of a breather.” Mr. Mark Beninson agreed, saying of this year’s budget, “if there’s excess in the revenue portion, that is a much better use than buying something new.”

There was a brief attempt to revive the notion of altering the debt service payment structure, which would buy the Town two years of principal payment pushback, approximately $400K, in exchange for a higher interest rate that would, in the end, cost $500-$600K over the life of the school building debt service bond. There was a reframing of the idea, likening it to choosing a 30-year mortgage over a 15-year one. The discussion was fairly short-lived, however, when several BOF members, who have voiced that they view the move as kicking the can down the road, indicated their thoughts had not changed.

With questions about rising department headcounts and salaries overall, BOF members are also zeroing in on promises that were made regarding staffing savings during the selling of the idea of building new schools. There was some pushback on large increases in staffing, both due to the pandemic and in general. Hanson continued to press on the need for future planning, challenging the idea that large projects are not on the horizon. Questions still needing discussion include the Middle School roofs and the turf fields, which were intended to be funded through the field fees, as originally promised, but may be requested from taxpayers.

In the school district’s responses to BOF requests, one fact that surprised BOF—and school officials—was the low number of NF students who go on to graduate college in four to six years. At under 40%, it was noted that some statistics show that this is on par with much of the country.

New Fairfield’s Board of Finance will hold Zoom meetings every Wednesday in March at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the budget.

By Sarah Opdahl