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Litchfield selectmen approve $9.97 million FY2027 operating budget and adjust debt-service funding
Summary
At a March 10 special meeting, the Litchfield Board of Selectmen approved a $9,974,395 Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget, increased the Sandy Beach Commission allocation to $20,000, cut the USA Hauling line to $310,000 and passed related debt-service funding totaling $2,453,208 with associated decreases.
LITCHFIELD — The Board of Selectmen approved a Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget of $9,974,395, an increase of $560,766, at a special meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2026, held in person at Town Hall and by video stream. Selectman Jeff Zullo moved the operating budget; Selectman Jodiann Tenney seconded and the motion passed with all voting in favor.
First Selectman Denise Raap said the Sandy Beach Commission had historically requested $17,133 and submitted a late request this year for $31,368. The board agreed to increase the commission's allocation to $20,000 to cover wage increases and higher workers' compensation costs and asked the commission to provide a profit-and-loss statement. Raap also encouraged the commission to apply to Seherr-Thoss and to submit a formal capital request to the Capital Improvement Committee next year, and the board asked the commission to consider raising its non-resident rate.
The meeting recorded several departmental staffing and budget notes: the Assessor's Office will move from one day per week to full-time; the Registrars asked for an increase to meet new state requirements and the office regularly applies for grants; and Planning & Zoning increased part-time hours for its planner. Selectman Jeff Zullo asked the Building Department for data on permits issued since the addition of a part-time inspector, noting the position was originally added for two hotel projects now complete and that the board should decide whether to continue the part-time hours.
The board agreed to reduce the USA Hauling contract line to $310,000 after reviewing recent and proposed figures. During budget discussion, Selectman John Bongiorno observed that providing the Oliver Wolcott Library with the same allocation as the prior year would reduce the town budget by nearly $20,000; the OWL allocation had not been discussed elsewhere on the agenda.
On debt-service funding, an initial motion to approve debt service of $2,453,208 was amended to include Bantam Annex funding with a proposed decrease of $263,851; that amendment was withdrawn. A subsequent motion to approve Debt Service, Canine funding and other funds totaling $2,453,208, reflecting a combined decrease of $563,851, produced a Board of Selectmen and Debt Service total of $12,427,603; that motion passed with all voting in favor.
The Board concluded the meeting by approving a motion to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
Votes at a glance
- Operating budget: Motion to approve $9,974,395 (increase of $560,766). Mover: Selectman Jeff Zullo; seconder: Selectman Jodiann Tenney. Outcome: approved (all voted aye). - Debt service and related funds: Motion to approve $2,453,208 with decreases totaling $563,851 (Board of Selectmen and Debt Service total $12,427,603). Mover: Selectman Jeff Zullo; seconder: Selectman John Bongiorno. Outcome: approved (all voted aye).
What happens next: The board approved the FY2027 operating budget and related funding motions at the March 10 meeting; departmental budget lines and a request for nonprofit funding criteria were referred to staff follow-up and future committee or budget processes as discussed at the meeting.
