Herbst Extols Cost Saving Measures, School System

Despite a tough economy, business is booming in Trumbull, First Selectman Tim Herbst told the Chamber of Commerce in his State of the Town speech Thursday morning.

In the renovated , Herbst addressed a capacity crowd. After citing past high spending and tax increases, he said, "Today, business as usual is over in Trumbull."

Herbst is the first republican in many years to hold the first selectman's office and the youngest.

He began by praising the golf course, created 4o years ago to "enhance the town’s quality of life and Trumbull’s desirability as a community of choice."

"Forty years later, a new generation of Trumbullites are called upon to move Trumbull forward" in the face of "unprecedented economic challenges," he said. Meeting that involves stabilizing the tax rate, maintaining town services and improving quality of life.

Herbst said his proposed budget:

• "Makes necessary investments in infrastructure, especially in the area of road paving"
• Increases the Town’s annual contribution to the pension fund;
• Increases police and education funding
•  Maintains senior tax relief, and 
•  "Reorganizes various town departments to realize cost containment, efficiencies and long term savings."

It would give a 2.375 increase to the Board of Education while, he said, cutting his own office's budget by 22 percent. The total budget would increase by 4.2 percent and with a nearly two percent growth in the Grand List, taxes would increase by 1.92 percent.

He especially praised the town's business growth, citing new construction for existing businesses and new buildings for companies coming into town. The Westfield Trumbull Mall also performed a $45 million renovation.

"Trumbull's economic development strategy is working," he said, praising the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Economic and Community Development Commission. "This year, 26 new businesses have signed leases and are coming into Trumbull."

"Trumbull's economy is strong and Trumbull is open for business," he said.

He criticized past administrations for making bad investments and "kicking the can" to later generations.

"I did not run for first selectman to kick the can," said Herbst, who has announced his re-election bid.

Particularly, he wants employees to pay more into their pensions and the town would pay $400,000 more a year for the next five years or more to catch up.

"This course of action is critical to the town's health and well-being," he added.

He also praised the school district, which he added has received increased funding.

"Between last year’s approved budget and my proposed budget this year, Trumbull will have invested an additional $2.8 million in public education. This does not include an additional $2 million of other revenue that has been spent for the benefit of our school system during this same time period," he said. "An additional $4.8 million has been spent on public education in town over the course of the last two years."

The schools also added staff while other systems laid teachers off, he added.

"Trumbull children are performing better than children in other Fairfield County school districts that spend more per pupil," Herbst noted.

"Despite a tough economic environment, we have an excellent school system and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise," he concluded. Cost savings are being found in renogatiating school contracts and teachers taking a raise freeze for a year as well.

He ended with issuing the first awards named for former First Selectman Larry Heimann, who started the golf course.

Awarded were Highway Department workers Tom Baldwin, Glen Broadbend, Greg Marconi, Richard Infante and Joseph Mitri; Police Lt. Ronald Kirby and Bill Chiaranzelli, a civilian in the department; and Town Finance Director Maria Pires.

Officer Michael Gonzalez was also honored for donating part of his liver to save the daughter of a fellow officer.