Town Meeting set for North Canaan budget

NORTH CANAAN — The Board of Finance and residents in attendance heard final presentations of spending plans from the schools and selectmen at a public hearing May 15. The proposed budgets will be voted on at a Town Meeting May 30 in Town Hall at 7 p.m.

Overall, the combined education and town budgets show reduced spending. North Canaan’s spending totals in 2024-25 are set at $13,344,971.70, a reduction of $51,150.13 (0.38%) compared to last year.

North Canaan’s Region One assessment is down compared to last year. The 2024-25 total is $5,565,923, a reduction of $136,960 (2.4%) from last year.

North Canaan Elementary School saw an increase, largely due to the hiring of a new teacher. NCES showed a bottom line of $4,536,112.70 for next year, an increase of $110,075.87 (2.49%) over 2023-24.

The selectmen’s spending proposal showed a total of $3,242,936 in municipal expenses, a reduction of $24,166 (0.73%) compared to 2023-24.

Since the initial spending proposals were put forth in March, the selectmen have added funding to two line items. Housatonic River Commission’s request for $400 was approved, and Women’s Support Services was assigned $1,500.