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budget

North Canaan sets May 13 town meeting amid rising regional costs

North Canaan Town Hall.
North Canaan Town Hall
File photo

NORTH CANAAN — North Canaan will hold its town meeting on May 13 to act on its proposed municipal and education budgets for the 2026–27 fiscal year, contingent on approval of the Region One school budget on May 5.

Unlike the Region One budget, which is decided by referendum across six towns, residents must attend the town hall meeting in person to weigh in and vote on the local budgets.

While the proposed budgets do not list a mill rate, First Selectman Jesse Bunce said the property tax rate — currently 24.75 mills — is expected to remain roughly unchanged. For a homeowner, that means a property assessed at $350,000 would result in about $8,663 in annual property taxes. In Connecticut, property is typically assessed at 70% of market value.

The proposed budgets total about $14.6 million, including a $3,351,583 municipal budget and an $11,238,600 education budget, the latter reflecting a 7.92% increase over the current year.

Of the education total, about $5,098,488 is allocated to North Canaan Elementary School, a 6.73% increase, driven in large part by rising medical insurance premiums. Those same healthcare costs are also a factor on the municipal side of the budget.

Meanwhile, $6,140,112 represents the town’s share of the Region One budget, which covers high school tuition and shared services.

Regional costs are driving the bulk of the increase. North Canaan’s share of the Region One budget is projected to rise by about $503,679, or 8.94%. The jump marks a notable shift from last year, when North Canaan’s Region One assessment rose by just over 1%. The town is budgeting for 106 students to attend Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

The proposed municipal budget is up 3.45% from last year.

A public hearing on the budgets was held on April 20 and lasted only three minutes. It drew no questions on the education budget and a single question on municipal healthcare costs.

The Board of Finance is reviewing the budget proposal and will set the final tax rate before it goes to the town meeting.

Bunce said after the meeting he was surprised by the lack of public comment, attributing it to a stable mill rate and multiple prior budget discussions.

If approved, the budgets will take effect July 1.

Vote Details

Wed., May 13, 7:00 pm

North Canaan Town Hall

100 Pease St.

Christian Murray
budget

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