Budgetary Concerns Presented To Southington Council, Hearing Continued

SOUTHINGTON, CT — In Southington, the town's budget and tax rates are adopted by the town council, with taxpayers only allowed to voice concerns on spending, not vote on them.

That process started Monday, April 6, and it will continue until May, when the Southington Town Council will have the final decision.

Residents and local officials raised concerns about fire staffing, school funding, and future tax impacts during a council budget hearing Monday night, as the panel opened a multi-week public review process ahead of its May vote.

The proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget totals $196,004,428, an increase of $7,544,071, or about 4 percent, over the current year.

The plan includes a proposed mill rate of 23.75, down from 32.80, though officials said individual tax bills will vary due to the town’s recent property revaluation.

Meanwhile, Southington Fire Department Chief Scott Lee urged councilors to restore funding for three firefighter positions that were removed from the department’s request, warning the cuts could affect emergency response.

Lee said the SFD, a hybrid paid and volunteer force, had already agreed to scale back other requests, including technology upgrades and delaying the hiring of an assistant chief for eight months.

But he said staffing levels should not be reduced, citing a recent consultant study commissioned by the town.

“The request to reinstate three firefighter positions is fundamentally different. This is not a capital project. This is not a delayed administrative hire,” Lee said. “This is about whether or not we can safely and effectively respond to emergencies in this community.”

Lee also referenced a recent $80,000 study paid for by the town regarding fire department operations. He said the added staff was among the consultant's recommendations.

“We funded the plan, and now we’re ignoring it,” Lee said.

Multiple speakers echoed Lee’s concerns, calling for restoration of the firefighter positions and increased support for the department.

Other residents objected to reductions in proposed funding for the Barnes Museum and the Southington Board of Education budget.

Southington Board of Education Chairman Zaya Oshana defended the school spending plan, which totals $130.3 million for 2026–27 — a $8.4 million increase, or 6.89 percent, over the current year. It is part of the overall town budget.

He said the increase is driven largely by rising salaries, benefits, and special education costs.

“I think one of the things we need to look at is where do we, as a town, value education?” Oshana said. “What do we think we should be doing in terms of education?”

Oshana said the proposed budget maintains existing services but does not expand programming.

“When we look at that, we need to decide what it is that we want for the community,” he said. “Have the budgets gone up? Yeah. Things cost more. That’s the biggest bulk of what we’re talking about here.”

“Times are tough, and it is a tough time,” Oshana added.

Several speakers also raised concerns about a separate, long-term $85.7 million school construction plan that includes building a new Kelley Elementary School, expanding South End Elementary School, and closing Flanders Elementary School for municipal reuse.

While not part of the current budget, residents said the project could affect future taxes.

Currently, that project is still in a holding pattern, with the council mulling an ordinance regarding town funding for the project.

It was hoped to go to a referendum vote in June, but that hasn't been decided yet.

What's next?

Southington Town Council Chairman Paul Chaplinsky said no decisions would be made on Monday and emphasized that the hearing process is just beginning.

“This is the beginning of the public hearing process. The town council has just gotten this from the board of finance,” Chaplinsky said.

He said the council will keep the hearing open to gather additional input and revisit the budget at its April 27 meeting.

“What we plan to do is open this public hearing, and at the end of tonight, we’re keeping the public hearing open. There will not be any action tonight,” Chaplinsky said.

The council must adopt a final budget by May 11 under the town charter. The Southington Board of Finance is then required to set the tax rate by May 20.

“From now until then, we will be hearing from the public,” Chaplinsky said.

For the latest Southington budget information, click on this link.

For the latest Southington Board of Education budget information, click on this link.