The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received May 15, 2026.
As we approach our upcoming Killingworth Town Meeting, there is a significant proposal on the table that every resident should understand: a $4.71 million bond. We all want a well-maintained town, but it’s important to look at how we pay for it. Whether you are a long-time resident or a new homeowner, here is a breakdown of what is happening and the questions we should all be asking our Board of Finance.
What is a “Bond” anyway?
Think of a bond as a twenty-year mortgage for the town. Instead of paying for a project upfront with cash we’ve saved, we borrow the money and pay it back with interest over two decades. While borrowing is sometimes necessary, it legally commits your property tax dollars for the next twenty years.
The Long-Term Impact on Your Taxes
Taking on a $4.71 million bond isn’t just a “one-time” decision; it has lasting consequences for our town’s financial health:
- Legally Binding Payments: These bonds are “general obligations.” This means the town is legally required to levy enough taxes to pay the principal and interest every single year until the bond is settled—regardless of what else happens in the economy.
- Opportunity Cost: Every dollar we spend paying back this “mortgage” over the next 20 years is a dollar that cannot be used for other essential services, emergency repairs, or to lower the mill rate in the future.
- Borrowing for the “Small Stuff”: We are being asked to borrow for items that won’t even last 20 years. For example, we will likely need to perform Chip Sealing on these same roads again while we are still paying off the original debt for them.
Asking the Next Generation to Pay Our Debt
A twenty-year bond effectively shifts the bill to our younger generation. We are asking homeowners currently in their 20s, 30s, and 40s—as well as those who haven’t even moved here yet—to pay for current projects. This isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about asking the next generation to shoulder the burden of debt that resulted from a lack of adequate financial management today.
Major Costs on the Horizon
We must ask the Board of Finance why we are using up our “credit” now on “nice-to-have” projects when we know massive, necessary expenses are coming:
- New High School Bonding: Somewhere in the area of $150 Million with the costs to be divided between Haddam and Killingworth, hopefully with some state grant funding but significant nonetheless.
- PFAS Remediation: An upcoming requirement with a currently unknown price tag.
- Potentially a New Firehouse: A looming necessity as our current facilities are outgrown.
A Closer Look at the Numbers
We’ve noticed some significant cost jumps that deserve an explanation:
- Irene Sheldon Playground: Last year’s estimate was $125,000. Now it’s $258,495. Why has the price doubled?
- Eric Auer Park: A project originally estimated at $50,000 has jumped to $258,495—and it no longer includes the concession stand originally promised.
- Rocco Reale Field: Lights were pulled forward from the 2027/2828 plan, and the cost increased by $60,000.
What’s Next?
We have a choice. We can approve this twenty-year debt, or we can ask the Board of Finance to go back to the drawing board, prioritize truly urgent needs, and find ways to pay for them without such heavy borrowing.
📅 Join us at the Town Meeting to vote on:
- Item 2: The $4.7M Bond
- Items 3 and 4: The Capital and Operating Budgets
Nancy Gorski, Killingworth
The writer is a member of the Killingworth Board of Selectmen
