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Willington budget cuts prompt debate; library urges keeping appropriations and EDC spending questioned
Summary
Facing a $70,000 recommended cut to general government, the Willington Board of Selectmen began weighing drawdowns from savings, departmental reductions and potential reallocations. Steve Ozier of the William Public Library appealed to keep current appropriations; members questioned $18,000 in EDC spending and awaited state numbers on regionalizing animal control.
The Willington Board of Selectmen opened a substantive budget discussion after the Board of Finance recommended a $70,000 reduction to general government. Chair (speaker 3) asked whether the board should draw on capital savings, dip into departmental operating budgets, or consider other options.
During public comment, Steve Ozier of the William Public Library urged the board to maintain the library’s current appropriations over a two-year period. "There's going to be a lot of serious cuts and changes to how the library operates as it is," Ozier said, adding that any further reductions (he noted roughly $36,343 already) "will certainly cause more pain." He offered to answer follow-up questions from the board.
Board members discussed specific line items and event funding. The Memorial Day allocation was mentioned (figures referenced in the meeting included a current $1,400 allocation and a request history that led to a recommended request of $4,000 after prior adjustments). The chair said the town must balance seed money needs for bicentennial/Tricentennial events with fundraising expectations.
A board member asked why the Economic Development Commission (EDC) budget included $18,000 and how it was spent. Chair and other members said much of past spending went to a consultant and legal work tied to ordinance development and a development plan; the board reported the EDC had spent about $12,000 so far in the 2025–26 fiscal year. The board briefly discussed pulling $5,000 back from the EDC account to cover other needs but did not take formal action.
Members also discussed animal control, noting the state is encouraging regionalization and has agreed to cover 50% of combined costs for Tolland, Stafford and Willington; board members said they have not yet received the final numbers from the state and therefore did not adjust the line item.
Other budget topics included the Facility Study Committee’s $160,000 operating balance and a CIP line of $32,861 applied as an initial saving toward a fire station. Members considered whether that CIP allocation could be reallocated; the chair cautioned about siphoning savings prematurely.
No formal budget reallocations were approved at the meeting; the board agreed to continue budget deliberations at the next meeting and said a town meeting to discuss the referendum is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20. The board signaled openness to further adjustments, including potential special meetings to review line-by-line changes.
Community notices mentioned Willington Day (May 23) and Memorial Day events (May 25).
