Ellington Finance Board Begins Budget Hearing Process

With the budget process in full swing, tonight finance officials will hold the first in a series of hearings to review various departmental budget proposals that may not be included in the Board of Selectmen's budget document.

The hearings begin at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall; for an agenda and list of departments involved in the hearing click here.

Last week, Finance Officer and Treasurer Nicholas J. DiCorleto, Jr., said that the majority of departments and town officials stuck to the finance board's request that the expenditure requests be kept "as austere as humanly possible."

DiCorleto said that many of the department budgets are flat, with some up just slightly. Some department’s budgets actually decreased. Overall, the Board of Selectmen's grand total on its budget is slightly less than $13.4 million, or a 2.14 percent increase when compared with the current year's plan. The school budget is $30.4 million, or a 3.34 percent increase when compared with the current year.

DiCorleto said town and school officials must proceed with the budget process, despite not knowing how much the town and school system will receive in state grants.

"You never know what will happen with the state revenue," DiCorleto said.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said previously that his proposed budget does not cut funding to towns and cities. Municipal and education leaders are not so sure, though.

In Ellington, after the finance board hearing tonight, the board will hold a second and third hearing on March 22nd and 29th.

Once the various departments, commissions and boards have had a chance to explain their budgets to the Board of Finance, the annual public hearing, the time when taxpayers can offer their opinion on the complete budget package, will be held on April 12.

If there are no dramatic revisions to the proposal, the Annual Town Meeting to vote on the finished package will be scheduled for May 10.