By Meghan Peterson, PhD.
Pending the outcome and impacts that finalization of the State budget will have on municipalities and towns, Haddam Board of Finance (BOF) Chairman Joseph Centofanti stated that the BOF’s proposed Town of Haddam budget will not require a mil rate increase for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20.
Centofanti presented the proposed town budget via a PowerPoint overview. Other BOF members in attendance were Harlan Fredericksen, Mark Lundgren, Robert McGarry and Sean Moriarty.
The proposed budget for town operations of $6,423,256 represents a 1.3% increase over FY 2018-19. The capital budget, which totals, $585,000 proposes setting aside $500,000 for the following items: a) two fire engines to be replaced in 2024; b) $60,000 for the cost of revaluation in 2019; c) $25,000 for revaluation software upgrades.
In addition, the capital budget calls for a bonding proposal of $7,007,250 to finance infrastructure projects such as roads, items required by the fire departments of both Haddam and Haddam Neck and town public works equipment in need of being replaced during years 2021 and 2022. Increased debt service subsequent to this bond is expected to be $557,800.
Justification for bonding the above-noted expenditures is two-fold: a) these projects have long-term benefits to the townspeople; b) these items represent needs which have been “kicked down the road” for many years and can no longer be ignored on the one hand or remedied with quick fixes on the other. As Centofanti noted, the bonding strategy is to take advantage of significant grants available to improve Haddam’s infrastructure. Moreover, the objective is to “level out” capital plan funding needs in the future by being responsive to the town’s infrastructure and equipment requirements in a timely manner. In effect, delayed/deferred maintenance both to town infrastructure projects and equipment utilized to conduct those projects has become costly.
On this front, Centofanti explained that replacing old public works vehicles and equipment will help to reduce future maintenance costs and level out a future replacement schedule to a more affordable level for taxpayers. Finally, Centofanti acknowledged the future capital plan challenges and requirements, estimating that the average funding request would be $676,000 (excluding road work) for FY 2024-2029 – again to cover ongoing infrastructure projects.
The hearing was then opened to the public for questions and comments. Ed Schwing, Editor of Haddam Bulletin, inquired about the numbers presented on the future capital plan slide of the PowerPoint. Melissa Schlag, member of the Haddam Board of Selectmen and Op-Ed Editor and in charge of Advertisements, Layout, and Design of the Haddam Bulletin, commented about the budget figures and inquired about certain agency/department items, including the Senior Van driver hours. Mary Jean Conrad, Brainerd Memorial Library Board Chair, expressed concern about future capital needs of the library but was assured that the library could submit requests for future projects in upcoming years. Laurie Ruderfer, Executive Director of Youth and Family Service of Haddam-Killingworth made a request for an increase of $11,500 to that part of the budget.
