FALLS VILLAGE – Voters approved the $6.7 million 2026-27 budget at a town meeting Friday, May 22 at the Emergency Services Center, including the municipal and Board of Education proposed spending plans.
During the town meeting, the municipal budget of $2,503,382 passed by a vote of 28-9 with one abstention. The vote was conducted by paper ballot.
The education budget of $4,201,917 also passed with a voice vote and show of hands after a motion to use a paper ballot failed. Three people voted no.
Directly after the meeting, the Board of Finance set the mill rate at 23.82, an increase of 1.37 mills (5.92%).
The finance board used a combination of the mill rate increase and $144,800 from the general fund to cover a shortfall of $479,000. The action leaves a general fund balance of roughly $804,000, which is 12% of the total budget.
Voters approved by unanimous voice vote an ordinance establishing a 15-year real property tax abatement for surviving spouses of residents in public service, including law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers who lose their lives in the line of duty.
In other business, the town voted to join the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority, the group of Northwest Connecticut towns that will take over the Torrington transfer station.
