By Sa rah Opdahl

On Monday, June 5, New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS or Board) met to set the date for a special town meeting, which will be on Tuesday, June 13. In addition, they discussed the 2023-2024 revised budget, which was a source of consternation for the Board members. It was noted that, if the budget fails again, the Board of Selectmen will set the mill rate.

With $100,000 cut from their budget, First Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco says the situation is “absolutely untenable for the town.” The BOF specified the cuts be from the police overtime line item, which Del Monaco says is used to make sure the Town meets its mandatory minimums when people are on vacation, out sick, in training, going to court, taking someone who’s been arrested to the troop in Southbury, and more. The line item also “funds one of our SROs in the elementary school, which now has 900 students plus staff, to make this cut is irresponsible.” Del Monaco supports BOF member Ms. Cheryl Reedy’s budget reduction plan, which relies on less medical funding.

Selectman Ms. Khris Hall agreed the cut is not feasible, saying, “the tactics of the BOF majority are costing the town money. Every time we have to go to a vote, it costs us money. It’s also going to cost us money in the delay and in collecting tax taxes, which is really important, especially given where interest rates are these days.” BOS member Ms. Lori Beninson agreed, pondering if there is another way to close the gap in reducing the budget.

It was acknowledged the BOF does have the statutory line item authority in the BOS  budget to alter the police overtime. “The reason it has never been used is because normally a Board of Finance would consult with the Board of Selectmen to determine what the impact of such a cut would be,” Del Monaco stressed, going on to say “There was no consultation and now we find ourselv es in an unmanageable position.”

The budget vote will occur no earlier than seven days or later than fourteen days from June 13. The vote language stands at:

1. To consider and act up on the appropriation of Town Government Expenditures totaling $13,621,500 from the General Fund, and $822,070 from the Capital and Non-Recurring Fund, and $3,091,605 from other Governmental Funds, as recommended by the Board of Finance, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024.

2. To consider and act upon the appropriation of Education Expenditures totaling $52,311,168 from the General Fund, and $148,575 from the Capital and Non-Recurring Fund, as recommended by the Board of Finance, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024.

In an email following the meeting, Del Monaco explained, “State statute does provide that the BOS can set a temporary mill rate if there is no budget before the start of the fiscal year.  That mill rate would be set to ensure that the Town’s immediate financial obligations can be met – for example salaries, utilities, purchases critical to our operations, etc.” She went on to say, “If the mill rate set by the BOS is lower than that ultimately approved by the taxpayers, a supplemental rate bill would be issued for the difference.  Conversely, if the temporary rate is higher than the final rate, the excess taxes collected are held and used towards the following year’s budget.  If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call.”