No budget cuts, urges sole voice at hearing

WESTHARTFORD— Despite carrying a potential 3.25% tax increase, West Hartford’s proposed budget drew comments from just one resident during a hearing Tuesday afternoon — and she endorsed it.

“Some of the things that are most important to me are library services, putting the town in a position to be prepared for climate change, lowering our use of fossil fuels, and creating true low-income housing including housing for older residents looking to down size,” Judy Allen said in a written statement.

The town is about three weeks away from deciding on a budget for 2021-22, and so far the $308.6 million proposal from Town Manager Matt Hart has created virtually no controversy.

If it goes through unchanged, his plan would beef up funding for road maintenance, building repair and municipal technology, while keeping a tight rein on public safety spending and reducing outlays for capital projects. The proposal adds about $8.4 million in new spending, with $6.2 million of that earmarked for the public schools.

Educators s eek $176.3 million for the new year, even though they are doing away with nearly 14 jobs because of declining enrollments.

The new money — an increase of about 3.6% from the current year — would pay for negotiated wage and benefit increases, busing costs and other contractual expenses, educators have in their presentation earlier this month. The schools also plan to add staff in special education and student support services.

Despite the high achievement of its students in statewide comparisons, West Hartford isn’t one of the top spending towns in Connecticut, educators said. The district ranked 102nd in per pupil spending for 2019-20, Superintendent Thomas Moore said in his budget proposal.

Allen did not address the education budget, but said the town needs a larger budget to make advances in several other areas.

“I believe that future goals for the town should be reflected in any budget,” she said.

“While I never want my property taxes to go up, I support the proposed 2022 town budget,” she said.

The town council will conduct a second hearing at 6 p.m. April 8 online, and also is accepting taxpayers’ comments by email or in writing. The council is scheduled to settle on a new budget April 22.

A little over a decade ago, the town had a string of controversies over proposed tax increases.

But the West Hartford Taxpayers Association, which once boasted more than 200 dues-paying members, faded away and has been dormant for years.

“Nobody wanted to step up to do the work,” former association President George Kennedy said Tuesday.

“I believe that future goals for the town should be reflected in any budget.” — Judy Allen, West Hartford resident