Ellington board frames budget referendum after motor-vehicle tax change; adds first read on nonresident attendance policy

The Ellington Board of Education on March 26 outlined revenue shifts tied to a new motor-vehicle tax law and the town’s budget choices as key drivers of this year’s referendum, and the board approved adding a first reading to revise Policy 5.420 (nonresident attendance).

Board Chair Zen told the board he filed testimony with the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on an unrelated utility matter, saying, “I did submit testimony today to Pura regarding Eversource Gas, who is looking to increase their rates by 43% as of 11/01/2025, which would, be a $54,919.60 increase for the board of education.” That statement was given as background on near-term budget pressures the district is tracking.

Superintendent Dr. Nickel said the district has tried to limit spending growth and that the board previously adopted a 2.89% budget; after identifying roughly $226,000 in reductions the board’s net increase stands at about 2.83%. He explained the town side of the overall municipal budget is currently at about 3.54% but noted that figure includes three proposed ambulance-related positions. “If you take those 3 positions out that are new positions, they’re at a 2.07% increase,” Dr. Nickel said, urging voters to consider both the spending and revenue sides of the town and school budgets.

Dr. Nickel described a state motor-vehicle tax change that took effect Oct. 1, 2024, and said it shifts some tax relief to vehicle owners and renters while reducing motor-vehicle tax revenue for municipalities. He told the board the impact on Ellington’s revenue will be substantially lower than earlier statewide upper-end estimates, but still material: after state and selectmen decisions, the district’s share is expected to be in the “less than the $300,000 to $200,000 range,” while earlier statewide figures cited by the administration reached as high as about $800,000–$900,000 across all districts.

Board members discussed outreach to help voters understand the numbers and process. One board member asked whether the chair could send reminders and educational notices about upcoming budget deliberations; Dr. Nickel said he and Town Administrator Matt Reed are preparing a joint explanatory letter and plan to present at two public deliberations. The board chair also confirmed two preliminary referendum deliberation dates: April 11 and April 15.

On procedure, a board member moved to add an action item—listed as Letter F—to place revisions to Policy 5.420 (Nonresident Attendance) on the agenda for a first read. The motion was seconded and the chair stated, “Motion carries.” No further details on the proposed policy changes were presented at the March 26 meeting; the item was added for the board’s first reading at a future meeting.

Board member Miriam noted external praise from members of the Board of Finance and asked that the district include the town assessor’s explanation of how vehicle values will be reassessed for taxpayers in any public materials. “Dan Coyne and Liz Nord said that they thought the Board of Education had done an outstanding job of doing the budget,” Miriam said.

The board also confirmed routine committee dates and the corrected consent-agenda date; no other formal budget votes were taken on March 26. The administration said it will circulate explanatory materials to the public and present more detail at the scheduled deliberations.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to add Letter F (first read to approve revisions to Policy 5.420, Nonresident Attendance): motion moved (mover not specified); second (not specified); outcome: approved (chair: “Motion carries”).