Community Update

Manchester May 27

       Council approved the 2014 budget of $31+ million.,a 10% increase since 2010..Among the highest items are $8 million for police, $ 4.8 million for employee group health insurance and lowest are. Council and Mayor $72 thousand .. The budget is within the state cap

      Although this will result in a small tax increase ,the town is only 27% of our property tax ,the schools 55% and county 17%

     The August bill may be sticker shock because last week the governor delayed until May 2015 the property rebate ,which appears as a credit on our tax bill The average credit is $300 down from $1100 4 year ago

    In 2010 and 2011 the town took over water and sewage service ,buying the western section(Crestwood +)from Kokes builders for 23 million and terminating United Water as operator of the eastern section (Pine lake Park+). New employees ,revenue and debt was added and this is not part of the budget but is 14 pages of the 41 budget hand -out

     The Business Administrator was terminated in April for an alleged drug purchase and her substitute, the police chief ,in civilian clothes sat in her chair at the meeting. He made no comments.

     Council approved a $3700 contract with “Total Care Eap” providing free employee counseling for family problems, stress and emotional difficulties