Willington selectmen call town budget meeting for May 20 after finance board trims $70,000

The Willington Board of Selectmen voted on May 13 to call a town budget meeting for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the old town hall to consider the proposed general government and education budgets after a recent $70,000 reduction by the Board of Finance.

During the special meeting the chair read the official warning for the town meeting, including the budget figures on the call: estimated general government total $7,013,713; estimated education budget $10,401,957; Region 19 $4,975,893; total town budget $22,391,563; total estimated revenues $4,566,287; and a net amount to be raised by taxation of $17,484,276 after applying a $341,000 fund balance. The chair corrected an earlier misread number before completing the call.

A board member moved to place the call for May 20; the motion was seconded by the chair and, after brief discussion about statutory notice windows, the motion carried. The board discussed procedural constraints: the chair explained that the town meeting process is largely predetermined by the call and that changing dates or numbers can create logistical problems such as newspaper-notice timing, printing costs and tax-billing delays.

Some residents and members questioned whether the town meeting offers a meaningful opportunity to alter the budget, noting statutes allow town meetings to be continued but that it is uncommon. The chair said the board must resolve where the $70,000 reduction will come from before July 1 and scheduled further consideration at the next regular meeting.

The board adjourned at approximately 7:34 p.m.