By Elio Gugliotti, Editor
PROSPECT â Mayor Robert Chatfield has proposed a municipal budget for 2021-22 that would increase town spending by 2.7%.
Chatfield presented his recommended $9.3 million town budget, which is an increase of $246,806 over current town spending, to the Town Council during a special meeting March 10.
Officials pointed to contractual costs, including 2.75% raises for employees, for driving much of the increase.
Council Chairman Jeffrey Slapikas said salary increases alone amount to $72,628.
Benefits and insurance are also a hefty expense. Combined, the cost of benefits and insurance is expected to increase $38,742 to $1.14 million.
Slapikas said Chatfield has done a good job with the budget so far. He called the proposal âa good steppingstone for the council to start our work on.â