Ledyard Town Council passes preliminary budget

Majority of taxpayers would see their taxes rise

“Municipal police departments are under siege. If Chief Rich needs a change in personnel and job descriptions to respond to this new environment out there, I vote yes for this funding.”

COUNCILOR MARY MCGRATTAN ON THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION

Ledyard — A majority of taxpayers will see their taxes go up, under a preliminary 2021-22 budget plan passed Wednesday night by the Town Council.

The $60,295,817 package decreases current spending by 0.25%, and decreases the tax rate by 3.56%. However, recent property revaluations mean more than half of the town’s taxpayers will see their bills go up, according to Councilor William Saums, who chairs the finance committee.

The preliminary budget was approved after $1,548 was cut from the mayor’s budget proposal to eliminate fax machine expenditures. Plans to alter a $43,000 increase in capital improvement appropriations was left untouched for now, until it’s more clear what federal funding may be coming the town’s way from recent relief packages either approved or proposed in Washington.

“I’m definitely in favor of holding onto the (capital improvements) line item as it currently exists,” Councilor Michael Washington said. “If the money does come in from an outside

source, that’s great, but it’s better to have the money in our hands and be able to use it.”

Former Mayor John Rodolico suggested to the council that some capital improvement projects that aren’t so urgent be held back to see if money through the American Rescue Plan can be used.

The proposed decrease in non-education spending is at least partly attributed to reduced costs for municipal employee health care, according to town Financial Director Marcia Hancock. There are no layoffs or added positions.

Education spending goes up 1.45% under the budget proposal to $33,671,969. Superintendent Jay Hartling said negotiated salary increases are the main reason for the hike, as well as increased programs to tackle the social and emotional needs of students, and math interventions. He described the budget as “very fiscally conservative” and noted the town remains the lowest funded district in the area at $15,351 per student.

One budget line item that received extensive discussion from the Town Council was an $11,660 request from the police department to add a captain. The restructuring wouldn’t require any new hires. A sergeant in the force

Education spending goes up 1.45% under the budget proposal to $33,671,969. Superintendent Jay Hartling said negotiated salary increases are the main reason for the hike, as well as increased programs to tackle the social and emotional needs of students, and math interventions.

would be promoted to lieutenant, with the existing lieutenant promoted to captain. The new lieutenant would be responsible for the town’s police patrols.

Chief John Rich said the change would help the department adhere to tougher new standards mandated by the state for accountability and transparency in police operations.

“Looking at how we’re going to meet these challenges going into the future,” he said, “this is really just a reorganization of our existing staff in our responsibilities.”

Councilor Andra Ingalls raised concerns about the police restructuring, and was the only council member to vote against the preliminary budget for that reason.

“I’ve been reluctant to support the captain’s position,” she said. “I’m a fan of good policing, and yet I struggle to understand the need of a captain’s role for Ledyard . ... We have to weigh what the police chief says what his department needs against what the town needs long term. Right now, I’m not 100% convinced this is a great long-term decision for the town.”

Councilor Mary McGrattan favors the change in police department administration. “Municipal police departments are under siege,” she said. “If Chief Rich needs a change in personnel and job descriptions to respond to this new environment out there, I vote yes for this funding.”

A budget public hearing will be held April 26 at 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium, with comment being accepted in person and virtually. The Town Council later will pass a revised budget that will be sent to a Town Meeting on May 17 at the high school. That meeting will be adjourned to a referendum the next day, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Town Council has agreed to have only one polling place open this year because of parking concerns at some previous polling places, and to cut costs. The polling location hasn’t been determined yet.