www.WashingtonCT.org The Town of Washington, Connecticut 2007-2008 Budget

Here are two Excel spreadsheets for the proposed 2007-2008 budget:

• General Fund

• Non-Recurring Capital Fund

The Budget Hearing is on Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.
The Town Meeting is on Thursday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Following is a statement from the First Selectman.

---

Town of Washington

2007-2008 Proposed Expense Budget

On Monday April 30th the Board of Finance voted to present a 2007-2008 Proposed Expense Budget to the citizens for their consideration.

The Proposed Budget is the product of the Selectmen's deliberations with staff, department personnel, and the Board of Finance over the past three months. The Washington Budget consists of three major categories: 1) General Fund, 2) Non-Recurring Capital Expenses and 3) Educational Costs.

Overall, the combined budget projects a 5.8% increase over last year's budget. General Fund expenses show a 3.6% rise. Capital project costs represent a 15.4% net increase (the 'net' amount is determined by subtracting expected grants from the projected gross capital expenditures). Washington's portion of the Region 12 School costs grows by 5.7%.

The following portions of the Proposed Budget are presented as follows:

1) Budget Summary

2) Department summaries

3) Non-Recurring Capital Budget.

Some of the major Capital items are:

• Open Space Land Acquisition Fund $150,000. (current balance $335,000)

• Housing Land Acquisition Fund $50,000. (current balance $125,000)

• Beach House/Boat Storage $200,000. A Beach Facilities committee is developing a plan to upgrade all beach/boathouse/cottage facilities. The final plan will be presented to the Selectmen and public for approval and final funding. This year's capital budget proposes $200,000 toward the overall costs, with $100,000 from a state LoCIP (Local Capital Improvement) Grant and $50,000 from private donors.

• 16 Titus Road Property $20,000. Clean-up, restoration and walking path construction

• WPS pavilion septic expansion. $20,000.

• Police Offices. $20,000. To complete construction and move police department

• Fire Cistern at Church Street, New Preston. $30,000. (Net to town of $15,000 after Housing Trust grant)

• Upper Highway Garage installation of concrete floor. $30,000.

The Town Clerk and Selectmen's Office have copies of detailed, line-item budgets for review. The Region 12 Budget Referendum will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8th. A Town Budget Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 10th 7:30 p.m. and a Town Meeting for Thursday, May 24th 7:30 p.m.

Dick Sears,
First Selectman