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Weathersfield residents question details of proposed $2.03 million FY27 general fund budget
Summary
Town Manager Brandon Gulnick presented a proposed $2,028,593 General Fund budget for FY27 — with $1,585,958 to be raised by property tax and an estimated 0% increase from FY26 — prompting resident questions about payroll lines, contingency borrowing and program accountability.
Town Manager Brandon Gulnick presented a proposed Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund budget of $2,028,593 at a Special Town Meeting in Weathersfield on July 6. The warrant for Article 1 notes that $1,585,958 would be raised by property taxation and that "This represents an estimated 0% increase int he General Fund between FY26 & FY27." Moderator Sean Whalen read the warning and opened public questions.
Residents pressed several budget details. Charles Horton asked about the Police Department FICA line; Gulnick explained how FICA is accounted for but said the exact calculation could not be done on the spot and would require additional information. Mr. Horton later renewed the question and also asked about the margin of error in the town's most recent audit; Gulnick said he did not have that information available at the meeting.
Several attendees asked about the consequences if voters reject the budget. Lawrence Turner and others asked what would happen if the vote failed; Gulnick described options including short-term borrowing while the town holds subsequent revotes. Town Treasurer Steve Hier explained that the Selectboard sets the tax rate and tax bills are usually sent with the first installment due in August, and that a tax anticipation note could be used to fund operations temporarily.
Katherine Adams raised earlier questions about the Animal Control Officer and library budgets and asked about accountability; Gulnick said the ACO budget provides roughly $59 per week in compensation and that some ACO tasks have been discussed for transfer to the Police Department. Adams requested a report of ACO services before the next Town Meeting.
No vote on Article 1 is recorded in the meeting transcript; discussion continued through audience questions and staff answers. The meeting adjourned after the discussion at 7:02 p.m.
