Board approves $304,000 in cuts to town and school budgets to try to secure referendum support

First Selectman Bruce Luckman told the Board of Finance that, following a special Board of Selectmen meeting after a third failed referendum, selectmen had identified roughly $172,000 of reductions in Public Works and other line-item adjustments and expected net selectmen reductions of about $154,000 for FY 26/27. "Following the 3rd failed budget referendum, the board of select and held a special meeting on July 2 and unanimously voted to reduce the select and budget once again," Luckman said during his presentation.

Board members pressed for details about what would be cut. Luckman and staff identified health-insurance adjustments, revenue/expense shifts and a donation for congregate meals as contributors to the reductions; they said specifics were still being finalized with the treasurer. "We make a revenue and an expense adjustment," Luckman said, and staff committed to providing the line-item breakdown before the next vote.

The board debated whether to accept the selectmen’s reductions as presented and whether to impose reductions on the Board of Education. Member Dave argued the cuts went too far and risked undermining town services, saying, "I feel I'm in a tremendously difficult situation... I think the cuts have gone too far. I think they're handicapping the ability of the community to respond to problems, to do things." He urged more time for department heads to explain what they had already lost and what they would need for next year.

Other members emphasized the urgency of producing a budget that voters will approve after repeated referenda failures. "We need to get this done," said Tony, who proposed a compromise that accepted the selectmen's $154,000 town reduction and reduced the Board of Education request by $150,000.

Tony formally moved "that we cut the town's budget by a $154,000, and we reduce the Board of Education by a $150,000." The motion was seconded. On a verbal roll call the chair recorded four ayes and the motion passed; the chair then asked staff to circulate updated budget sheets. Treasurer Lynn announced the mill rate under the proposed cuts would be $25.42.

During public comment, residents raised concern about job losses in Public Works and questioned whether small per-household savings justify cuts to services. Henry Brooks asked whether public works employees might lose jobs if the department absorbed the $154,000 reduction. Leonard Clark gave a per-bill breakdown to show scale: he told the board that a $100,000 cut translates to about $17.98 a year per residential real-estate tax bill, and said that even larger cuts would be required for voters to feel a substantial tax reduction.

The board set a tentative special town meeting and a possible referendum date in late July and asked staff to circulate revised budget documents in the next few days. The board adjourned after scheduling follow-up work and confirming that residents and department heads will be informed of the final line-item adjustments before the next vote.

What’s next: staff will distribute updated budget sheets reflecting the agreed cuts, the board will finalize the meeting and referendum date (a Wednesday in late July was discussed), and the Board of Education will meet to set its expenditure numbers before the special meeting.