Opposition vows call for referendum
The
West Hartford Town Council Tuesday gave final approval for the proposed
2007-2008 budget. In a year complicated by a significant rise in residential
property revaluations, residents are bracing for a shock when they see their
new property taxes.
After three public hearings, though, and a threat by the West Hartford Taxpayers
Association, the Town Council members voted unanimously to reduce the
originally proposed budget down to a 3.48 percent increase. Town Council
member Shari Cantor pointed out that if there was no revaluation this year,
the budget only increased 1.94 percent from last year. Property taxes are
expected to rise 6.6 percent.
To reduce the budget, the Town Council cut $1.8 million from the Board of
Education budget. That decision triggered Town Council member Barbara
Carpenter, a longtime kindergarten teacher, to abstain on voting for or
against the budget.
The West Hartford Taxpayers Association, led by Theresa McGrath, said they
will pursue a townwide referendum seeking further
cuts to the budget. For a referendum to occur, McGrath will need to obtain
2,400 signatures in just under a month.
Town Council member Art Spada admitted that this
year has been especially difficult, but criticized the West Hartford
Taxpayers Association.
"They say they want the budget limited by 2.5 percent but that means nothing
unless you give specifics on where to cut," he said.
To ease the rise in property taxes, the Town Council approved a five-year
phase-in of the current revaluations. Meanwhile, West
Hartford waits for the state to complete its budget process.
West Hartford
officials are projecting they will receive $3.5 million more in state aid
than last year.
"We truly don't know how much we will get from the state," said
Cantor. "We only have projections."
Town Council members have taken heat from residents over this year's budget
and have communicated that if taxes rise too much, some will be forced to
move.
Carolyn Thornberry said that all residents in West
Hartford benefit from the wide services offered in town.
"Even if you don't use a town service, you still benefit," she
said. "Even having no kids, I still benefit from having good schools in
the community."
Mayor Scott Slifka said he is most sensitive to the
seniors in town who want to stay in their homes and read an e-mail aloud to
the Town Council from a resident who is working hard, has young children, and
is just barely getting by.
Slifka agreed that West
Hartford is not just a town for the affluent and the diversity
is what makes the town a rich place to raise children. He said the budget
cuts were necessitated by a recognition of the
community's present economic reality.
"West Hartford is the most vibrant
community in Greater Hartford and we have great reason for optimism," he
said.
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