A tight budget year coming up in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN — The North Canaan selectmen submitted their proposed 2019-20 municipal budget to the Board of Finance at a meeting on Tuesday, March 19.

Estimates project total town expenditures at $2,690,049, an increase of $174,922 over the current year budget total of $2,515,127. 

Nancy O’Connor, Board of Finance chairman, said, “Obviously, this is only the beginning of the process.”

Presenting the selectmen’s proposal, First Selectman Charles Perotti described areas of increase, including an upgrade to the Town Hall telephone system, and an increase for the position of resident state trooper that is mandated by the State Police.

Perotti noted an increase in the cost of being part of the Northwest Hills Council of Governments, an organization made up of the first selectmen from 21 area towns.  

“It’s well worth the money,” Perotti said of the $2,623 fee for membership continuation.

While the selectmen continued or reduced some proposed allocations to 11 area organizations that provide services to North Canaan residents, their preliminary budget strategy withheld funding from an additional eight. Perotti explained that the selectmen would invite the Board of Finance to arrive at a funding decision on behalf of those eight.

Saying that he did not want to touch the town equipment fund, Perotti said he is looking for the finance board’s guidance on what has proven to be an extremely tight budget.

Health insurance costs have increased 5 percent. Storm water testing costs are expected to double for the coming year. Some transfer station costs are increased, including recycling, tipping fees and bulky waste.

The Canaan Child Care Center’s move to the elementary school will create a cost saving for the town.

Transportation services provided through Geer, including Dial-a-Ride, came under discussion, with board member Brian Ohler recommending that the finance board invite a Geer representative to attend the next meeting, in April, when the budgets will be finalized in preparation for the public hearing.