By Sarah Opdahl

On Thursday, February 20, New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen voted to approve a $14,69 1,870 proposed budget. Broken down, the budget includes Operations expenses at $13,433,871; Medical insurance at $1,056,694; Debt Service at $ 126,492; and a contribution to Cap and Non-recurr ing at $74,813.

With a 2-1 vote, Selectmen Ms. Pat Del Monaco clarified her no vote by explain ing, “I’m going to vote against only because I feel strongly that the town needs more money in capital.” First Selectmen Ms. Melissa Lindsey said that she intentionally kept capital low as this is yet another difficult year for the taxpayers who are still very heavily debt burdened and are facing revaluation increases. Del Monaco hopes the Town can begin to save more money toward capital projects in futu re.

It was noted that the medical insurance increase constitutes an over 4% rise, which was not pleasant news for BOS members.

Regarding the first selectman’s salary, Lindsay suggested reducing her salary increase from 2.5% to 1.5%, in order to increase the salary of her administrative assistant to $75,000. Del Monaco disag reed with the plan to cut the position’s increase, saying, “I think you should keep your two and a half percent, that is your cost of living. That is to keep your salary with the same buying power.” Regarding the admin’s salary, which needed a bump of just under $3,000, Del Monaco said, “let’s see if we could find it somewhere else, maybe.”

There were numerous cuts to the budget to keep the costs in check, from $300 in materials and supplies in the Town Clerk’s office  and a slight adjustment to the pension allotment to $2,000 less in postage, which follows the way the Town is trending for mailings, and a decrease of $1,000  for gasoline and diesel “because we have locked in rates [that are] comfortable with that estimate.”

Lindsey explained, “we removed $50,000 from road repair, which I absolutely do not like to do at all,” and which she confirmed was reasonable with the Public Works Department staff. From each department there were small adjustments “based on the past five years’ usage.” Del Monaco fears that the numbers are cut “to the bone” and that there is less cushion than may be needed. She also explained that she believes in budgeting for need, rather than trying to get to a specific number. Del Monaco asked whether any projects could be closed out, wh ich Lindsey agreed is something the Town needs to pursue.

Under capital requests, the proposed budget funds: $5,000 for a large copier for land use; $15,000 toward garage furnaces, $20,000 toward a boiler; $20,000 toward building repair; and more small equipment. “We have Department of Public Works bridges and drainage, $7,500; bridges under 20 feet, $10,000; pedestrian safety, $30,000; Senior Center dam and pond, $10,000; streetscape maintenance, $10,000; the Weldon Woods road drainage improvement, $25,000; and the Town Hall parking lot, $50,000,” Lindsey explained. She went on to say that the budget includes money for animal control cooling and heating, AED purchases, and more. 

The next regular New Fairfield Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 7:30 p.m.