Bethel voters set for their say on budget
BETHEL — The fate of the town’s proposed $81.9 million spending plan will be in voters’ hands Tuesday, when the 2021-22 municipal budget goes to public referendum.
The proposed budget reflects a 2.62 percent yearover-year increase, allocating $49 million to Bethel’s school district and $32.9 million to town operations.
The school and town budgets were approved for referendum earlier this month during an in-person annual town meeting at the high school’s fieldhouse, where feedback from maskwearing residents was a
mixed bag.
Some said they think too much money is being requested, especially when some in town are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Others voiced support for the spending plan and expressed concern about further reductions.
The town side of the budget, which reflects a $1
million increase over current town operations spending, was reduced by
$260,000 last month — leaving nearly $5.8 million in debt service, about $26.7 million for municipal operating expenses and
$350,000 for school building maintenance.
The $49 million school budget reflects a 2.25 percent year-over-year increase following a $400,000 cut made by the Board of Finance in an effort to reduce the town’s year-over-year
spending increase.
The school and town budgets reflect a 2.62 percent year-over-year combined budget increase.
If the $81.9 million spending plan is approved, Bethel’s mill rate for 2021-22 would be around 34.38, according to a Board of Finance presentation last month. The town’s current mill rate is 33.74.
With a 34.38 mill rate, a home with a $310,000 market value and $217,000 assessed value would pay
$7,641 in taxes — an approximate increase of $139 a year or $11.57 a month, according to the finance board.
Eligible Bethel voters will get to cast a budget referendum ballot between
6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday at their designated polling places:
• Districts 1 and 4 — Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, 1 School St.
• District 2 — Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Company station, 59 Stony Hill Road.
• Districts 3 and 5 — Frank A. Berry School, 200 Whittlesey Drive.
Voters are asked to bring identification when they go to vote.
For a sample ballot and more information on the referendum vote, visit
http://bit.ly/BethelReferendum2021.