Ellington's Budget Goes to Referendum

Ellington held its annual town meeting Tuesday evening and residents filled most of the auditorium for one last opportunity to learn about where their money would be going and to prepare for the referendum. 

The referendum will be held on Tuesday, May 17 from 6 a.m. until 8 pm. 

A concerned resident questioned Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s “Plan B” and wanted to know if the town was able to resend its budget after it was passed if the state budget plan goes through and cuts funding to the town. 

Chairman of the Board of Finance Robert Clements said that the town would call a special meeting to reduce expenditures if the budget is passed before the state budget, and “Plan B” was then instated. 

He assured residents they wouldn’t be stuck paying even more if the state cut more. 

Before the motion to adjourn to referendum was made, Clements took the podium. 

Clements said Ellington was in a “unique position” this year due to the revaluation of property, which occurs every 10 years. 

“This year’s reval. found that the property in Ellington lost value, and our Grand List went down 1.7 percent,” Clements said.

He equated that loss to approximately half a million dollars. 

He reviewed the budget table on the proposed budget packet:

General Government

• 2010-2011: $14,983,980
• 2011-2012: $15,023,557
• Increase = 0.26 percent
• Percent of total budget = 32.64 percent

Capital Outlay

• 2010-2011: $1,289,100
• 2011-2012: $971,429
• Decrease = -24.64 percent
• Percent of total budget = 2.11 percent

Board of Education

• 2010-2011: $29,429,989
• 2011-2012: $30,033,940
• Increase = 2.05 percent
• Percent of total budget = 65.25 percent

Total

• 2010-2011: $45,703,069
• 2011-2012: $46,028,926
• Increase = 0.71 percent

Clements told residents the town tries its best to match new bonding debt service with retiring debt service, as a continuing cycle.

“It is our intention to provide the best possible environment in which to live, educate, and raise a family while staying within the taxpayers’ ability to provide revenues,” he said. “Our goal is to maintain the high quality of life in Ellington which has attracted so many of the new residents, while not overlooking the needs of those who have spent their lives here.” 

More resident questions and comments were heard after Clements spoke. 

Rudy Luginbuhl discussed reducing the budget. 

“The issue has to do with the overall economy,” he said. 

He suggested reducing the budget by 5 percent overall, and in areas that couldn’t be reduced, he suggested no increases at all.

Gary Pellegrini mirrored Luginbuhl’s comments. 

“We need to develop a new attitude…we’re going to be a third-world country,” he said.

Clements said they’ve already cut the budget “down to the bone.” He said further cuts would cause problems with town services, and they would heavily affect the “seniors and juniors,” or the senior citizens and the youths. 

“Go look at other town’s budgets…see how much more they’re paying,” he said.

Dan Keune, Chairman of the Board of Education, told the residents they “hear soundly where voters are at this point.”

“Nothing’s ideal,” he said. 

Superintendent of Schools Stephen Cullinan also told residents about the issues facing Ellington Public Schools. He said the 880 students at aren’t covered properly with only one special education administrator, one art teacher, and one psychologist. 

First Selectman Maurice Blanchette said, “without approval of the budget, (the town) will likely regress.” 

However one resident did not agree.

“You people are driving the seniors crazy!” he said.  “I’m voting no for the budget, ‘cause I can’t afford it!”

With that, Blanchette moved to adjourn the town meeting.

The next opportunity for the residents to be heard will be the referendum.