Deep River selectmen recommend $671,000 in budget reductions after referendum defeat

The Deep River Board of Selectmen on June 2 recommended $671,000 in reductions to the town’s proposed FY 2026–2027 budget and voted unanimously to forward those recommendations to the Board of Finance.

The action followed the defeat of a budget referendum on May 26, 2026. Board members identified specific items they favored restoring, including $2,500 for Everbridge emergency-notification funding, and said they did not support cuts to the Police Department budget.

First Selectman Carol Jones opened the special meeting at 5:36 p.m. and led discussion of revisions to the proposed budget. The board noted that the town currently has one full-time and one part-time police officer for patrol duties and discussed pursuing an agreement with Region 4 to ensure police presence before and after school. Selectman Cynthia Torres volunteered to serve as a liaison with public safety officials to improve communication with residents.

After deliberation, Selectman Cynthia Torres moved to forward the board’s recommendations, including a $671,000 reduction package, to the Board of Finance; Selectman Duane Gates seconded the motion. The board voted 3–0 in favor of the motion.

Board members also discussed outreach to residents and scheduled a public hearing on the revised budget for Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., with a referendum on the revised plan set for Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.

The Board of Selectmen’s recommendations will be considered by the Board of Finance before the public hearing and the scheduled referendum.