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Wiltons Board of Selectmen is looking for a 4.51 percent increase in town spending, which would make for a total budget of more than $30 million for the upcoming fiscal year. The board has tried to control the number of town employees, but residents would feel the impact of more cuts, First Selectman Bill Brennan says.
Over the last five years, the Board of Selectmen has closely controlled headcount and also reduced two authorized positions. As a result, at times this winter, our resources were maxed out, indicating that further expense reductions could impact community services, Brennan says in a statement.
If the 4.51 percent increase were approved, the increase over the past three years would average out to 1.6 percent, the statement says. Two years ago, the town budget took a decrease of 0.8 percent and last year an increase of 1.1 percent.
Recognizing the difficult economic times, the board has taken steps to lower spending. Those initiatives include: combining the towns medical insurance with the Board of Educations self-insurance plan, and moving the Fire Departments and EMS to a regional dispatch with Westport, Ridgefield and New Canaan. Both changes will help produce long-term savings for the town.
There were also expenses the board was unable to control in calculating the budget. These include medical insurance, required pension and OPEB contributions as well as utility and fuel costs, which have risen considerably with the unrest in the Middle East.
This spending increase was submitted to the Board of Finance on March 4, in accordance with the town charter.
What do you think of the Board of Selectmens proposed budget? Why? Share your thoughts below or e-mail reporter Anthony Buzzeo, tbuzzeo@mainstreetconnect.us.
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