Ellington Budget Public Hearing One for the Record Books

The annual budget public hearing was held on Tuesday night and in what many people believe to be a first, no questions were asked and the meeting was adjourned after only a few minutes.

A few residents gathered to hear about the proposed $50,641,127.The proposed budget is $2,206,108 more than the current budget - a 4.55 percent increase. As it stands, the residents will see a 1.5 mil increase - from the current 27.9 mils to 29.4 mils.

Board of Finance Chairman Robert Clements told the audience that this is not the final budget and that any cuts will be made Thursday, and if necessary, on Tuesday. Residents are encouraged to attend these workshops.

Clements indicated that there would be cuts coming and that the 1.5 mil increase is unlikely.

On May 14, the annual town budget meeting will be held, and it will most likely be adjourned to a referendum on May 21.

First Selectman Maurice Blanchette said that all the departments who submitted budget increases can defend the increases, but he’s not sure that this proposed budget will fly.

“I have a feeling that the Board of Finance is not going to let a 1.5 mil increase lay still, even though we could use it,” he said.

He said that this budget contains a few things that fix problems that were developing or take advantage of technology that is available now.

“There are things in there that it would be nice if it would go through with those,” Blanchette said. “If it doesn’t, it means that we won’t be able to start our own recovery as fast. But you can only work with what you’ve got. The Board of Finance is likely to knock it down some.”

Blanchette said that the budget needs of the departments are known, but the income side of things is not clear, and only time makes it clearer. One thing that people are looking at closely is the car tax elimination that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is proposing.

Ellington stands to lose more than $3 million - and would only be collecting around $200,000 - under that proposal and would be facing a 2.5 or 3 mil increase to make up for that.“Every town is going to have a big, big problem with that,” Blanchette said.

For a full look at the budget, check out the Ellington town Web site.