Board of Finance sends revised Deep River budget reductions to public hearing

On June 2, 2026, the Deep River Board of Finance voted 4–1 to send revised reductions to the FY 2026–2027 budget to a public hearing. The motion was moved by Jackie Calamari and seconded by Michael Weglarz.

The vote followed a review of the Board of Selectmen’s recommended budget and the results of a May 26 town referendum. The Board discussed roughly $724,500 in potential reductions across capital and operating accounts, including a proposed reduction at Deep River Elementary School, adjustments to educational grants, medical insurance savings, a library cut, and reductions in the police department budget.

Board members also discussed narrower savings items, including approximately $51,000 in targeted reductions and the possibility of selling unused police cruiser accessories. The meeting record shows additional potential savings considered for Everbridge services, the town transfer station, and parks and recreation.

Chair Tim Puglielli reviewed how the proposed budget changes would affect residential tax bills in Deep River. The Board also noted a trend of declining student enrollment and discussed how that enrollment change factors into education-related costs.

The Board reviewed recommendations from the Board of Selectmen, which proposed about $670,000 in reductions and explicitly recommended no cuts to Everbridge funding and no reductions to the Police Department budget. The Selectmen’s estimate associated with the revised proposal was an increase of 0.84 mills to the tax rate.

The motion to send the revised reductions to a public hearing passed on a 4–1 vote; the record does not list individual roll-call votes, only the tally. The revised budget was prepared for consideration by the Board of Selectmen. The Board heard comments from members of the public during the audience of citizens period before adjourning at 6:05 PM.