Budget passes, mill rate now 11.35

SHARON — The large meeting room at Town Hall was overflowing with Sharon residents on Friday, May 13. All had come out to vote on the town’s budget for the fiscal year 2011-12, which begins July 1. Many were there because of concerns that, if the education budget was rejected, the Spanish language program at Sharon Center School would be eliminated. A vigorous email campaign had been carried on during the week, encouraging parents to come out and vote “Aye.”Even students at the school got involved, including one group who made posters that were pinned up on bulletin boards around town, saying, “Save Spanish. Vote for the budget on Friday. At the Town Hall. Be there at 8 p.m.”In the end, the selectmen’s budget of $3,567,700 and the Board of Education budget of $6,420,758 (which includes Sharon’s portion of the Region One School District budget) were approved unanimously by voice vote. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes.Several housekeeping matters were also approved, including a vote that the town can accept grants and funding during the fiscal year. A five-year capital plan was approved, and an easement was accepted from Michele Jawin for the construction of a turnaround on Kirk Road. Voters also approved the expenditure of $15,173.59 toward plans for the new transfer station. Approximately 150 people attended the meeting.Directly after the town meeting, the Board of Finance met to set the mill rate for the town. After a brief deliberation, the members voted to set the mill rate at 11.35. The current mill rate is 10.9.The mill rate determines property taxes in Connecticut towns. A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. A 15-mill tax rate would translate into a tax bill of $1,500 for the owner of a home assessed at $100,000. The grand list is the total assessed value of all taxable property in a town.