Tax Decrease, Major Bulk Trash Changes Proposed In Hamden Budget

HAMDEN, CT — Mayor Lauren Garrett has proposed an operating budget for fiscal year 2024-25 that she said represents the “largest reduction” in the mill rate in 19 years, and significantly changes the town’s bulk trash pickup program.

Garrett this week presented a $297.69 million budget to the Legislative Council with a proposed mill rate of 55.38, which represents a 1-mill reduction. Garrett said another mill rate reduction is expected for next year, “utilizing the revaluation of the Grand List.”

“This budget was produced with thoughtful consideration of resident feedback,” Garrett said in her address to the council. “I am presenting a plan to improve rental housing quality by creating a Housing Division to inspect rental properties to ensure adherence with our housing code. This is paid for with revenue from a per unit fee for housing. We will simplify trash collection by working with our trash vendor which will assume responsibility for tote replacement and change bulk pick up to a twice yearly call ahead program. We will utilize red light cameras which will pay for the implementation of traffic calming. This budget utilizes savings from previous years to assist with a mill rate reduction this year.”

Garrett said that a decade ago, town operations were “drastically cut to mitigate a budget shortfall.”

“The ramifications on the operations of the Town were equally drastic,” she said. “Many of our departments do not have the workforce to complete the increase in workload. With the increase in funding from grants and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), an increase in population, and an increase in needs, we must build on our staff to meet the needs of the community. I am funding a Crime Analyst for our Police Department, an Administrative Assistant for the Fire Department, a Housing Division, an Engineering Project Coordinator, and a Senior Buyer for Purchasing. These positions will help us to deliver services and meet deadlines for funded projects.

“The key expense drivers which I had to manage within this budget include Board of Education, pension, debt service, medical, and inflationary increases.”

The town’s bulk trash pickup program usually takes place in October and April. Garrett said the vendor, All American Waste, proposed a “cheaper option - a call ahead program.”

“Residents can get 2 pickups per year at a time convenient to them,” according to the proposed budget. “Just call ahead and your bulk trash will get picked up on your regular garbage day.”

The program would begin July 1, pending approval by the Legislative Council.

Other bulletin points Garrett highlighted regarding the proposed bulk trash program include:

• Garbage will not sit out as long
• People will not have to wait for October or April to get rid of unwanted items
• In places where All American Waste implemented this approach, tonnage decreased

Read the full proposed budget here.