Public Hearing Held on 2018-2019 Fiscal Budget

Naugatuck, CT - A public hearing on the proposed budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year was held before the Joint Boards of Mayor and Burgesses and Board of Finance, as well as the Controller and Borough Clerk, on May 14, 2018. The meeting was held at the Board of Education office on Rubber Avenue.

The Chairman of the Board of Finance, Daniel F. Sheriden, Jr. conducted the hearing and reminded the speakers that public that they must provide their name and address and that the hearing was being recorded. Speakers were asked to limit their comments to five minutes.

Chairman Sheriden reordered his review of the proposed budget comparison so that the senior citizens could discuss the community services that affect them directly. Former Mayor Joan Taf urged the boards to not reduce amount allotted to the elderly program.

The vast majority of the citizens who came out to the hearing were there to support the proposed budget for the Board of Education. Superintendent Sharon Locke spoke briefly so as not to take time away from the public comments. BOE member Jason Celozzi spoke of the fact that it was amazing that the education department had worked with a flat budget for the two years prior.

A Hop Brook parent spoke up for student that are struggling and require the assistance of math tutors. Another parents spoke is support of providing support for the hardworking Naugatuck teachers.

Tyler Suarez, a recent Naugatuck High School graduate now in college, urged the joint boards to reinstate the modest increase because "our town needs this." Jill Mahoney, a former BOE member, spoke in defense of the babies born in Naugatuck that need the support of the school system. Parent Melissa Teator, who had helped to organize a Facebook event to increase parent attendance, urged the boards to treat both the town side of the budget and the BOE side equally.

Some young professionals that live in the borough reminded the boards that property values are directly affected by the school system in the town. "Young professionals will leave a town that is not growing," stated one speaker. After the fifteen adults had shared their thoughts, Chairman Sheriden urged those in attendance to come out for monthly Board of Education meetings to stay current on the workings of the BOE, as well as attending Board of Finance workshops and meetings at Town Hall. Both are open to the public.

Sara Euvino (D) a regular member of the Finance Board, thanked the parents and educators that attended the hearing. She noted that there were more people in attendance to support the BOE this year than had come out last year when there was a proposed increase in the mil rate.

The chair then went over the rest of the twenty-page comparison section by section for the few audience members who remained, often explaining the reason for a change in the requested amounts by each department. The Fire Dept. budget request for $500,000 for a new fire engine was corrected to $700,000.

Check out the Facebook page Naugatuck Community Events for a great article by Elio Gugliotti about the public hearing.

A meeting for the adoption of the budget is scheduled for Thursday evening at Town Hall.