Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Stonington Education Budget

Budget season heads into high gear this week with the first Board of Finance budget hearing scheduled for tonight and a public forum on the proposed Stonington education budget set for Thursday. Here’s what you can expect if you are attending either or both meetings.

Board of Finance

The Stonington Board of Finance meets at 7 p.m. in the Stonington Police Station meeting room for a hearing on the proposed Solid Waste and Highway Departments’ Budgets. While the meeting is open to the public the chance for public comment will not come until the April 10, 2013 public budget hearing.

The Highway Department proposed budget is for $2,330,856 up slightly from the 2012-2013 adopted budget of $2,195,029. During the 2012-2013 budget year the Highway Department’s paving projects included Greenhaven Road, Renee Drive, the lower portion of Borodell Avenue, Findlway Way, McGrath Court and part of Riverbend Drive. Sidewalks were replaced on Stillman and Morton Avenunes in Pawcatuck and on Cottrell Street in Mystic. And drainage improvements were made on Elaine Street, L’Hirondelle, Hewitt Road, Kinght and Field Streets.

During the 2013-2014 year the department plans to replace sidewalks and drainage structures as part of the road paving referendum that was improved in the fall, maintaining the athletic fields and design and construct the new all-weather field.

The Solid Waste Department proposed budget is $2,516,629 down slightly from the 2012-2013 adopted budget of 2,652,315. During the upcoming fiscal year the major objective of the department is negotiations for a new contract with Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resources Recovery Authority for long-term waste disposal.

A complete copy of the proposed 2013-2014 budget is available on the town’s website.

Here is the full budget-hearing schedule:

• February 6: Solid Waste and Highway Department budget hearings.
• February 13: WPCA, Human Services Department and outside agencies budget hearings.
• February 27: General Government, Capital Improvement and Police Department budget hearings.
• March 6: Board of Education budget hearing.
• March 13: Budget deliberations.
• March 20: Budget deliberations.
• March 27: Budget deliberations.
• April 10: Public Budget Hearing 7 p.m. at Stonington High School

Board of Education

While if you attend to the Board of Finance budget hearing you’ll have to hold off on public comments for several weeks, at Thursday’s Board of Education budget meeting you’ll more than have your chance to speak.The Board of Education wants to hear from you, according to a recent blog post.

On Thursday, the Board of Education will host a public hearing at 7 p.m. in the Stonington High School Commons. The hearing is the chance for the public to weigh in on the proposed $33.9 million 2013-2014 education budget.

One of the biggest changes in the proposed budget is $75,000 for an all-day kindergarten program.

The board is expected to vote on the budget at its Feb. 154, 2013 meeting, so Thursday night is the time to voice your approval, suggestions and objections.