Politics & Government

Enfield Town Council Approves $118.4 Million Spending Plan

Budget vote passes by 6-5 margin.

In a split vote, the Enfield Town Council voted Wednesday to approve a budget of $118,449,477 for the 2013-14 fiscal year, upping the tax rate more than five percent to 29.26 mills.

The bipartisan vote was 6-5 in favor of the budget, with Republicans Ken Nelson, Tom Kienzler, Carol Hall and Joe Bosco and Democrat William "Red" Edgar opposed.

"This is a budget that serves the needs of the town," Mayor Scott Kaupin said. "We need to invest in our town, our school system and our infrastructure. We funded needs and stayed away from funding wants."

Town Manager Matt Coppler said, "The budget addresses a lot of needs of the town and schools, and helps improve the quality of life in our community."

Nelson said he is "very disappointed" that the council voted to increase taxes.

"I was elected to keep taxes down and make tough choices," he said. "Matt put forward the best budget he could, but we could have done this without such a severe increase in the mill rate."

Over $64.26 million, or nearly 55 percent of the total town budget, was allotted to the Board of Education. A transfer of $750,000 from the schools' information technology budget will allow the school board to implement all-day kindergarten beginning in September.

"We're pleased with the way the town council handled it; I think it's good for the whole town," school board chairman Tim Neville said. "The parents will be very enthusiastic as we're heading forward."

Neville also said the potential for more than 30 layoffs in the school system has been reduced to about 12 to 15 positions, including 10 to 12 teachers and three paraprofessionals.


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