By Sarah Opdahl
On Saturday, March 2, New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) presented their fiscal year 2024-2025 budget to the Town’s Board of Finance (BOF). First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey explained that difficult cuts were made to bring the budget to a 3.88% increase, for a total of $14,206,407.
When original requests were made by the various Town bodies, the total increase amounted to an unfeasible 14.95%. After coming to that total, Lindsey explained that she worked closely with Town Finance Director Ms. Olga Melnikov to identify areas that could be shaved across the board. There are a number of departments that will increase by marginal amounts.
A larger increase was indicated in the Registrar’s budget, as the Town shifts to early voting during a busy Presidential election year. Additional staffing, as well as materials, drove Registrar line items up, though cost for staffing would be held in check if the proposed increase in hours for a Town Clerk staff member is approved. With increased absentee ballots and the introduction of early voting, the Town Clerk and Registrar’s offices are working more closely than ever. Registrar Ms. Elisa Beckett-Flores said, “We want elections to be fair and secure and to be trusted and that’s what we’re trying to do. And unfortunately, there is a cost to that.” She went on to say, between the two departments, there are only two months this year that they will not handle ballots for primaries or the election..
There was a bit of confusion regarding a fire department equipment cut, but it was confirmed to be much less of a cut than originally thought. Ms. Cheryl Reedy explained that the fire department’s equipment budget is intended to preemptively address needs, rather than having a large need crop up, as it did in the past. The budget line mirrors the apparatus line, which has an over four-decade record of providing the necessary funds for the department despite inflation driving up the prices in recent years.
The budget cut that continued to draw public frustration was a requested increase for part-time help for the Town’s animal control officer. Several residents spoke to support the request and point to the position’s requirement to be on call at all times as unreasonable. Though there is a current back-up staff member, that person is unable to work weekends, which precludes the primary officer from taking that time off. BOF members asked for more information about the role, including work schedule, routine tasks, and whether the role is paid hourly or salary.
The BOF asked for more clarification on anticipated non-taxpayer revenue at future meetings. The revenue was budgeted conservatively last year, but ended up drawing in a much larger amount. Reedy also asked that one late-March meeting include a public hearing after residents have had a chance to digest the proposed BOS budget.
The Board of Finance will meet with Board of Selectmen and Board of Education members, in addition to school administrators, on Wednesday evenings in March at 7:30 p.m.