Council Adopts FY2027 Budget With 1.51% Mill Rate Increase After Two Failed Referendums
Regular Meeting
Summarized by: claude-sonnet-4-6 | Date: 2026-06-15
- FY2027 budget adopted at $156,572,340 — a 3% expenditure increase — with projected mill rate of 28.88, representing a 1.51% increase
- Board of Education budget set at $92,364,280 after a $1,000,000 reduction from the May 18th proposal; passed 5-4
- Total town-side reductions of approximately $1.3 million included cuts to General Services ($693k), CIP ($500k), OPEB ($100k), open space ($46k), Public Works ($18k), Safety Services ($15k), and Administrative Services ($35k)
- Opening cash increased by an additional $500,000 on top of $2 million already approved
- Budget referendum set for June 30, 2026 at all 7 polling locations, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Town awarded $42,000 cybersecurity reimbursement grant
- Council authorized application for $750 America 250 CT municipal stipend grant
- Annual paving program underway; Marshall Phelps Road reconstruction — exceeding $1 million — fully state-grant funded, begins in August
After two failed budget referendums, the Council adopted a revised FY2027 budget on a 5-4 vote for most key measures, targeting a 1.51% mill rate increase. The Board of Education budget was reduced by $1 million from the prior proposal, while the town side absorbed approximately $1.3 million in cuts across multiple departments. Superintendent Dr. Abdel-Hady clarified that the accurate per-pupil cost is $24,003 — not the $32,000 figure cited by some speakers — once out-of-district placements are included in the enrollment count. Extended public comment reflected deep community division between residents citing affordability concerns and those warning that cuts would damage school quality and property values. Voters will have the final say at the June 30th referendum.