Published April 27. 2021 9:27AM
Kevin Gorden, Special to The Day
Ledyard − Only two people spoke during Monday night's public hearing on the proposed budget for 2021-2022. One speaker urged more spending by the town, the other told town officials to make more cuts.
The $60,295,817 plan increases current spending by 0.27%, while it decreases the mill rate by 3.56%. However, Councilor William Saums, who chairs the finance committee, has said that recent property revaluations will mean tax hikes for most residents. Reduced costs for municipal employee health care accounts for a decrease on the town side of the budget. The education budget goes up by 1.45% to $33,671,969. Negotiated salary increases account for most of that increase. Some savings will be realized by five teacher retirements, while a special educator for kindergarten through grade 2, a preschool educator, and a math interventionist will be added. All are full-time positions.