Cromwell Board of Finance approves budget recommendations, sets mill rate at 29.28

The Cromwell Board of Finance on May 7 approved a series of budget recommendations and transfers and set the 2026–27 mill rate at 29.28.

At the special meeting called to order at 7:32 p.m., board members voted unanimously on motions including providing a non‑binding recommendation to the Town Council for a $23,900 Dog Fund appropriation and amending a proposed recommendation for a $100,000 Sidewalk Fund appropriation to remove the word "binding." The board approved transfers of capital funds, an appropriation for a town manager search consultant, and several budget assumptions and allocations.

Why it matters: the actions collectively finalize the Board of Finance’s advice to the Town Council on several special‑revenue and capital items, set key budget assumptions (including collection and revenue projections), and determine the mill rate that will be used to calculate property tax bills.

Board actions and key outcomes

• Seat alternate: The board unanimously seated John Flanders for absent member Dan Kelly after a motion by Steve Wygonowski and second by Ed Maley.

• Special‑revenue recommendations: The board voted to recommend a $23,900 appropriation for the Dog Fund to the Town Council; members amended and approved a separate motion to remove the word "binding" from a proposal regarding a $100,000 Sidewalk Fund appropriation, and approved the amended recommendation.

• Capital transfers: The board approved a $35,329.18 transfer from the CNR appropriation for WIS exit signs LED renewal to a WIS LED gym lights appropriation, and a $23,228 transfer from the same CNR appropriation to fund ECS AC window replacements. Both motions passed unanimously.

• Town Manager search: The board approved a $24,000 appropriation from the CNR fund balance to retain a consulting firm for the Town Manager search. The motion was made by James Fedeli and seconded by John Flanders.

• Grand list and revenue assumptions: The board approved a grand list of $1,913,000,000 and set projected revenue other than taxation at $10,229,100. It set the property tax collection factor at 98.85%.

• Fund balance and financing amendment: An initial motion proposed using $1,973,202 from Fund Balance. The board approved an amendment, moved by Steve Wygonowski and seconded by John Flanders, to instead use $1,043,253 from Fund Balance, add $929,949 from the Capital Project Fund to the CNR fund, and use $2,410,678 from the General Fund to stabilize the mill rate. The amended motion passed unanimously.

• Senior tax relief and mill rate: The board approved $60,000 for the Senior Tax Relief program and set the mill rate at 29.28; both votes were unanimous.

Public comment and next steps

Resident James Rude thanked town officials for their work on the budget and requested more detailed information about the town’s revenue sources ahead of any future referendum. The board concluded its business, Chairman John Ireland offered brief closing remarks, and adjourned at 9:54 p.m. Minutes were submitted by Sara Kennedy.

The Board of Finance’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Town Council as recorded; the Council will take any final actions per its procedures.