By Sarah Opdahl

On the evening of Mo nday, July 1, New Fairfield’s Board of Finance (BOF) unanimously voted to restore $600K in funds to the education budget. Following months of turmoil and four previously failed budgets, the move signaled the full Board’s acknowledgement of the voting majority’s call for a lesser impact to school funding. The mill rate would be 36.52, which results in a 4.64% tax increase. Public comment was filled with support for the move and indications that speakers would vote yes. 

The Board of Selectmen will meet on Wednesday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center Community Room to consider:

1. The appropriation of Town Government Expenditures totaling $14,127,707 from the General Fund, and $539,455 from the Capital and Non-R ecurring Fund, and $2,499,112 from other Governmental Funds, as recommended by the Board of Finance, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.

2. The appropriation of Education Expenditures totaling $55,271,776 from the General Fund, and $119,577 from the Capital and Non-Recurring Fund, as recommended by the Board of Finance, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025.

3. The advisory questions “do you feel the Town Budget is too high or too low” and “do you feel the Education Budget is too high or too low.”

BOF members voted 4 -2 on whether to include the advisory questions.

In addition to the restoration of education funding, the BOF voted to approve $22K in spending from non-tax revenue in order to fund an insurance change for the fire department.