Proposal increases spending, cuts tax rate
BEACON FALLS The town’s 2021-22 municipal budget proposal increases spending and funds a substantial list of capital projects, but cuts the tax rate by a full mill.
The spending plan will go to a public vote at a town meeting June 2 at 7 p.m. at the senior center, 57 North Main St.
The $7.95 million operating budget proposal is an increase of $473,596, or about 6.3%, from this fiscal year.
The proposal includes contractual increases, like 2.5% raises for town employees and a 5% jump in the cost of medical benefits.
The spending plan also raises the first selectman salary from $55,000 to $62,000, and the salaries for the treasurer, selectmen and registrars of voters positions from $250 to $13,750. The proposed salaries for elected officials are prorated in the budget and won’t take effect until after the November election.
By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer
BEACON FALLS First Selectman Gerard Smith wants to add more hours and responsibilities to two town positions in a move designed to make operations in the land use and police departments more efficient.
Smith is proposing to create a 10-hour land use liaison position. The additional hours would be given to the assessor’s office clerk position, held by Lisa Daigle, who works 25 hours a week now, to create a full-time assessor/land use coordinator. The additional 10 hours would be solely for work in the land use office.
All the employees in the land use office are part-time and the office isn’t open full time. Smith said the position will help facilitate operations and record keeping in the department as well as conduct better dealings with boards, commissions and the public.