Committee recommends sending budget to public hearing, directs $250,000 cut to school budget

A special budget meeting of the committee concluded with members agreeing to send the proposed budget to a public hearing and voting to require the Board of Education to cut $250,000 before the next town referendum.

The committee agreed that the first tax bill would be sent at the existing mill rate so bills can go out on the usual schedule, with any change resulting from the referendum to be reflected in the second installment in January. Tax-collection staff said there is a Tuesday cutoff to get information to the billing system; the committee identified a public hearing on the 17th and the town meeting to adjourn to referendum on June 23, with a referendum date discussed for June 30.

Members reviewed a rough exit-poll tally of about 330 respondents that showed mixed sentiment: on the selectmen/town-side budget a plurality said it was "too high" while responses on the board of education and capital budgets were split between "too high," "too low," and "appropriate." Committee members repeatedly cautioned that the exit poll was self-selected and limited in size, and some urged staff to compile full public comments before making final choices.

Discussion focused on how to reduce the proposed overall increase (discussed in the meeting as roughly 6.2 percent). Staff estimated that roughly $250,000 in reductions would reduce the increase toward a target near 5 percent. After debate about whether cuts should fall on the Board of Education, capital projects, or town operating accounts, a motion requiring the Board of Education to cut $250,000 was made, seconded and carried by the committee in a verbal tally. Committee members described the cut as tentative and subject to revision after the public hearing.

The meeting included an extended exchange about public understanding and the role of social media: some members said online postings and heated public comments had influenced voters, while others urged the committee to stick to verifiable budget facts when making decisions.

Next steps are a public hearing (noted by the committee for the 17th), reconvening after the hearing to consider adjustments, and forwarding the committee's recommendation and any final figures to the town meeting on June 23. The vote to request the $250,000 reduction will be part of the materials presented to the public; the committee emphasized the allocation among town accounts and the board of education could be refined following input at the hearing.

The committee adjourned after setting the hearing and related schedule.