Bethel board OKs 3% raises for first selectman and town clerk, advances $102.6M budget

The Bethel Board of Finance voted March 25 to approve 3% increases to the salaries of the first selectman and the town clerk and to advance the town’s $102,587,457 budget for the upcoming town meeting.

A member moved to raise the first selectman’s salary from $129,600 to $133,488 (3%) and the town clerk’s salary from $87,793 to $90,427 (3%), with an effective date tied to the budget cycle (July 1). Board members debated whether the raises should be set separately or as part of the operating budget; the board’s finance staff said raises are customarily set through the budget process and that implementing them in the next fiscal year would be done via standard budget-line adjustments.

Members discussed the train‑station (rail) fund that provides a 9.5% railroad portion of the town clerk’s pay in Bethel. Board members were advised that the train fund is intended for improvements tied to the train‑station property, that some revenue sources for the account include parking permits and daily parking meters, and that state authorities retain rights over the fund in some circumstances; board members were urged to use the account only for allowable station improvements.

The board also summarized feedback from the recent budget public hearing: attendance was lower than last year’s meeting, but senior residents emphasized hardship and requested elderly tax relief. Members asked staff to explore options and legal constraints; the Commission on Aging’s prior proposals (including a previously discussed $1,000 credit that would have carried a large fiscal cost) were cited as background. Board members noted major drivers of the budget this year include energy and healthcare costs and warned that asphalt and construction costs could affect summer work.

After debate, the board moved to keep the budget as presented at $102,587,457 (a 5.24% increase). That motion passed by voice vote. The board then approved three technical budget-line adjustments to reflect the salary raises: a $2,634 increase to the first‑selectman line (account 01100‑5101), a $2,384 increase to the town clerk line (account 01130‑5101), and a $6,272 decrease from the wage‑adjustment account (01‑420‑5353). Each of those adjustments was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board discussed outreach to seniors about existing tax-abatement and reduction programs and asked staff to report back on legal options and program participation before the next budget cycle. The budget now advances to the public notice/town meeting stage in accordance with charter requirements.