North Canaan modifies town, school spending plans

NORTH CANAAN — Following requests by the Board of Finance to reexamine 2025-26 spending proposals, the boards of selectmen and education presented updated plans Wednesday, April 9.

For town spending, Board of Finance Chairman Doug Humes suggested the full first selectman’s salary, which was initially reduced to $6,500, be reinstated.

In his explanation Humes said, “The first selectman takes more responsibilities than the rest of the board.”

The Board of Finance also asked about $5,000 allocated to “contingency fund.”First Selectman Brian Ohler said this line is for discretionary spending and could be removed at the finance board’s request.

The selectmen modified both lines of the town spending plan. The first selectman’s salary was set at $24,000 and the contingency fund was reduced to $0.

The updated municipal spending proposal shows a bottom line of $3,239,732, a reduction of $3,204 from last year’s budget.

For educational expenses, the board asked North Canaan Elementary School Principal Beth Johnson to reduce spending where possible.

She returned April 9 with a lowered bottom line.

“We pulled about $42,000 off the teacher’s line,” said Johnson, explaining the severances for retired individuals will be paid out of this year’s budget instead of next year’s.

The updated NCES spending plan totals $4,767,136.46, an increase of $231,023.76, or 5.09%, compared to last year.

The Board of Finance will host a public hearing for municipal and education spending plans Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.