By Sarah Opdahl

At the Wednesday, March 12, New Fairfield Board of Finance (BOF) meeting, the members signaled that it is probable that a significant tax increase will be proposed, to the tune of as much as 10.46%. Gone is the talk of steep cuts that reigned and caused tumultuous budget seasons in the past two years, instead there is an appetite to usher through the  Town and education budgets nearly as originally proposed, possibly even adding more to the existing budgets.

BOF Chair Ms. Thora Perkins stressed, “we are in a perfect storm because we are in our third year of our highest debt service, and then we got this crash in medical…so we are going to be doing the best that we can for the entire town. I mean…we will see what the residents are going to think, because this is a tough budget.” A major budget driver is wildly rising medical costs at a 13% increase and there is an ongoing discussion to try to curb expenses by joining a seven-town co-operative, which may or may not flatten costs. Mr. Wes Marsh pointed out that some members are banking on “smoothing out” the costs but “it is not guaranteed. If something extraordinary happens to one of the members in their medical claims, they all [the co-operative representatives] get together and they will assess an additional fee,” which is specified in the bylaws. BOF members continue to gather information and will make a decision on joining the co-operative in the coming weeks.

Perkins suggested each BOF member plan to come to their Wednesday, March 19 meeting with potential tax increase numbers to discuss. Mr. Wes Marsh made the overall tax situation plain, “There are six major pieces of this budget: payroll, non-payroll, capital, debt, medical, and non-tax revenue. Those are the six major pieces. We are not touching debt…medical is going up significantly, non-tax revenue is going down.” He went on to say, “the three pieces that are left, if you want to reduce the tax rate, are payroll, non-payroll, and capital… So, when you say ‘talking numbers,’ let’s be above board here, we are talking reductions.” He went on to say, “we are talking 10.46% and if you want to reduce that down to a 7%, 8%, or 9%, we have got to go and find a million or a million and a half in payroll, non-payroll, and capital. You are not finding pennies, you are finding hundreds of thousands of dollars.” Having weathered extreme discontent from the public in the past, Perkins said, “what worries me is the town, the residents not understanding this. That really is very concerning to me.”

School district staff and members of the New Fairfield Board of Education (BOE) were on hand to go over their budget and clarify the handful of questions that were asked by BOF members. Questions included clarification that was needed on particular vehicle requests, building and technology equipment requests, gate fee rev enue, and more. BOE Chair Mr. Dominic Cipollone said, “the elephant in the room is the medical,” and he and Superintendent Dr. Ken Craw expressed concern that talk of joining the co-operative is moving quickly. Perkins assured them that the BOF has known about this option for some time and is only acting on it now, given the steeply rising cost for medical insurance. She also stated that the Town’s medical consultant said that these are behind-the-scenes changes and employees will not notice a difference in their healthcare.

The school district’s Director of Buildings & Grounds Mr. Phil Ross reported on a request for information on possibly better maintaining the pavilion near Rebels Stadium, which houses restrooms. He explained that the space stays open until late November and reopens in March, but it could stay open, and lower pricey electric heat bills, if the restrooms were insulated. He added that an epoxy coating could get poured on the floors for easier maintenance.

Craw provided student achievement standar ds, which were requested in previous meetings. He said that the scores are increasing for math following lows in the pandemic and reading is “where we still have some work to do,” which they have addressed with new curriculum and programming. He also explained that the chronic absentee rate, which was a major issue in the last couple of years, remains at 10% with a hope to get the number down to 8%. Regarding questions about post-graduates, it was explained that approximately 71% are entering four-year degree programs, 19% are opting for two-year programs or trade schools, and the remaining 10% are entering the military, taking gap years, or are otherwise employed.

There was a discussion about whether the Board of Selectmen’s budget is high enough in capital requests, but they were assured that areas that are lighter—road work, bridges and drainage—were funded more heavily last year with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey, who has taken some pointed comments regarding what is seen as under budgeting or budgeting to a specific number rather than the need, was firm, “when we look at a 10% tax increase, I do not think this is the year that we choose to finally fix the gap in capital—this has been going on for 10 years.” Opponents of the plan to budget tightly fear the future needs and costs in capital. Lindsey stressed that, as the debt decreases, funds for capital needs should reasonably increase, possibly through a Capital Savings Account.

Holding in-person meetings which are typically sparsely attended, rather than Zoom, the public comment was subsequently light, compared to the hours of public comment in the budget season over Zoom last year, though residents who did speak were passionate about aspects of the budget.

New Fairfield’s Board of Finance will meet weekly, on Wednesdays, through March to continue budget discussions.