Darien RTM Approves Town Budget And Mill Rate For 2026-2027

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Representative Town Meeting on Monday overwhelmingly approved a $191.9 million budget for 2026-27 and a 16.05 mill rate, making just one reduction — a $75,000 cut to a proposed Cherry Lawn circulation and accessibility study.

The legislative body voted 73-0-1 on the overall budget. RTM Moderator Seth Morton was the lone abstention.

The meeting was streamed on DarienTV and is available to watch on demand.

Overall, the spending plan represents about a $7.8 million increase over the current year. The First Selectman's operating budget totals $61.78 million, while the Board of Education budget is $130.18 million.

The motion to cut $75,000 from the town's capital non-recurring expenditures was brought forward by RTM Finance & Budget Chair Jack Davis and approved by a vote of 72-1-1.

Davis said an open space plan for the town should be developed first before money is committed.

"We have three schools that have been offline for two to three years that are just now returning to service. Currently, there are no assurances that programs will return to these facilities. Great Island access is not going to be available for another 15 months. The committee believes that a visitor management study should be conducted once these open space facilities are accessible," Davis said.

Davis said there is uncertainty about whether the park's heavy usage is a result of over-programming, or if it's an independent issue.

Money should not be committed until "open space areas are online and the Board of Selectmen provides a comprehensive open space strategy with measurable metrics to establish the town's future direction," Davis said.

The parking lots at Cherry Lawn are cramped and lack sufficient spaces, while pedestrian flow from the lots to park amenities is inadequate and sidewalks are lacking, RTM Parks & Recreation Committee Chair Adele Conniff said in her report to the RTM.

Conniff said some of her committee members thought the study did not include enough park users in the process, or was too expensive.

"Others thought it would lead to capital improvements that would be too expensive and that they might not like. Some thought reduction of the stress on the park could be achieved by other means," Conniff said.

Those in support felt it was important to have an objective study done to analyze the overcrowded park and how best to improve circulation, flow and accessibility. ADA deficiencies were identified in an audit performed in 2025, Conniff said.