Hamden Mayor Vetoes Council’s Approved Budget

HAMDEN, CT — For the second year in a row, Hamden Mayor Curt Balzano Leng has vetoed the budget approved by the Legislative Council. Leng notified the council Friday that he was vetoing the budget that was approved in early June.

Following a marathon meeting June 4, the council approved a budget that would raise the town's property taxes by 6.4 percent. The council’s budget would raise the mill rate by 3.14 mills to 51.98 for the fiscal year starting July 1. The budget makes deep cuts to several departments, including cutting positions at the police and fire departments, forces the Board of Education to find $2.55 million in savings and cuts the town's bulk trash pickup entirely, the New Haven Independent previously reported.

Leng proposed a budget in April that would raise the mill rate to 49.84 mills. Leng has been frequently criticized by some council members for "overly optimistic" revenue projections and the council eliminated a $7 million debt restructure line at the urging of both Finance Director Curtis Eatman and financial adviser Barry Bernabe, according to the Independent.

Leng announced Friday night that after “significant consideration” he was vetoing the council’s budget. Leng also vetoed the council’s budget last year and his budget went into effect after the council failed to override the veto. A two-thirds majority vote is needed for the council to override the veto.

“This decision was not an easy one to arrive at, as I know our council members have all dedicated many long hours of hard work and thoughtful deliberation,” Leng said in a statement late Friday night. “However, a strategy that reduces services, while charging taxpayers more for less, is not a recipe that leads to a stronger, safer Hamden our neighbors are counting on us to provide for them.

“For these reasons, I am compelled to follow my conscience and the commitment I made with our residents to protect their essential services, and exercise my veto authority. My action is not intended to be adversarial. I know that we can build a consensus budget, containing ‘the best of both worlds’ and resulting in the best outcome for our neighbors.

“If this veto is sustained, I will work with our council and submit a budget amendment for their deliberation and action. We can achieve much of the good work contained within the council budget, without taking away so much our residents count on.”

Leng cited four specific reasons for why he was vetoing the budget, including the mill rate, cuts to public safety and the Board of Education, and cutting the town’s bulk trash pickup.

Read more from Leng’s news release below:

1) A veto reduces the new tax mill rate from 51.98 to 51.86, less relief than I wanted to offer our residents, but the maximum reduction we can achieve within the confines of law at this time. My goal was and is further reduction. We are in a time of incredible challenge for so many and every dollar matters, so even a slightly reduced mill rate is better than the alternative;

2) Providing safety and security in our neighborhoods is a central government function residents need, expect and deserve. The Council approved budget contained very deep Public Safety cuts, which would result in the elimination of Neighborhood Walking Beats, as well as an enormous reduction in effective Bicycle Patrols. These efforts have helped Hamden prevent crime and protect the safety of our residents, while fostering relationship building between our officers and our residents. The cuts would shrink Hamden’s Police staffing to levels we had in the 1970’s, when Hamden had 12,000 fewer residents. The staffing reductions would also severely limit traffic enforcement efforts residents seek for safer roads for vehicles and pedestrians. Cost reductions can still be achieved, strategically, while ensuring continuation of truly essential services listed above;

3) The funding cut to the Board of Education was deep and risks the elimination or severe reduction of programs deeply valued by Hamden families and most elected officials. BOE Equity Committee efforts, including curriculum redevelopment we have promised our families, and more, is deserved and necessary. Restoring funding can ensure that these efforts move forward and achieve the positive changes and equity that reflects our values. Major reductions to arts and music enrichment, which benefits our students in so many ways, is also of great concern. Cost reductions are needed, but can be achieved without this level of harm;

4) Curbside Bulk Trash Pick-Up, a program residents count on and which saves many families significant money, was eliminated. This would be restored if the veto is sustained. Elimination of this service, in a year where our residents have to pay more, is wrong. I am also concerned that without bulk trash pick-up, Hamden will see increased blight and dumping, which will make the Town look terrible and be expensive to clean-up.

I look forward to having the Administration and the Legislative Council work together to blend the best parts of the Mayor’s and the Council’s budgets, in order to deliver the best budget we can for our residents. A full transcript of my veto correspondence to the council is available at www.hamden.com.