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Board of Finance confirms $21.54 million budget, sets FY 2026–27 mill rate at 22.59
Summary
After voters approved the $21,544,884 Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget in a June 16 referendum, the Board of Finance on June 18 set the mill rate at 22.59 and adopted process recommendations for next year’s budget cycle.
The Board of Finance on June 18 confirmed that voters approved the town’s Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget and moved to set the property tax mill rate at 22.59 mills.
Chairperson Tim Puglielli called the special meeting to order at 5:47 p.m. at Richard H. Smith Town Hall. The board recorded the presence of members Carmela Balducci, Jackie Calamari, Michael Weglarz and Barry Luff; First Selectman Carol Jones, Selectman Duane Gates and Finance Director Paula Fernald were also in attendance.
The board acknowledged the outcome of the June 16 town referendum and the approved budget total of $21,544,884. Members discussed procedural changes aimed at improving next year’s budget development, including targeting a December 1 start to the budget process, holding substantive process discussions in October and November, meeting with the Board of Selectmen earlier in the cycle, encouraging Board of Education members to ask more probing questions during reviews, and developing a formal budget calendar. Members also recommended considering midyear meetings with neighboring municipalities to share practices.
Based on the approved budget, the board calculated a proposed mill rate of 22.59. Board member Jackie Calamari moved “To set the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 mill rate at 22.59.” The motion was seconded by Michael Weglarz and passed unanimously. The board did not record individual roll-call votes in the transcript; minutes list the motion as unanimously approved.
The board announced its next meeting for June 30, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.; a Town Meeting is scheduled for June 29, 2026. A motion to adjourn, made by Carmela Balducci and seconded by Jackie Calamari, was adopted and the meeting ended at 6:01 p.m.
The board’s recommendations on process changes are advisory steps to guide officials as they implement the approved budget and prepare for next year’s cycle.
