Politics & Government

Finance Board Revisits Budget Issues

In voting to send recommendations to the town, the board restored funding to several municipal and education items.

 

Bethel Board of Finance members took a fresh look at the 2013-14 town and education budget at a meeting Monday night at the Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, voting to recommend a $67,0831,781 budget to taxpayers.

Officials voted to recommend restoring funds to several hot-button issues -- including charities and an increase from part-time to full-time for a position the tax assessor's office -- stemming from residents' feedback at a public town hall meeting earlier this month.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I'm very happy," said First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker, who supported both measures. "I want to commend the Board of Finance for putting [the assessor's office increase] back in, as well as the non-government organizations."

The board restored $17,883 to non-governmental organizations (charities like Meals on Wheels and hospice care) and $22,220 to the assessor's office.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Finance chair William Kingston said he had been "doing some thinking" about a way to fund non-governmental organizations on a voluntary basis, and suggested sending a proposal to the town's Charter Revision Commission to include donation options on car tax invoices in the future. Invoices would offer an option to contribute $3 to charities that serve Bethel residents.

"The idea is to provide these services, but do it voluntarily and in conjunction with the car tax," said Kingston.

 Officials also put $17,562 back in the recommended Board of Education budget. Education officials have lobbied for several new positions, including a reading specialist and ROTC instructor.

"I have great confidence in the administration of the Board of Education that they're spending the money effectively," said Kingston. "The proof is in the results; the results are spectacular."

A measure to restore $12,000 for the library failed to find support.

"My compliments to the Board of Finance," said Knickerbocker. "They had to make some difficult decisions."

A final town meeting on the budget is scheduled for May 6.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here