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Bee Intelligencer Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Volume X, No. 14
Friday, April 4, 2014
Region 15 budget hearing Monday By MARJORIE NEEDHAM The Regional School District 15 Board of Education (BoE) will host a public budget hearing on the proposed 2014-2015 school budget Monday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the AP Room at Pomperaug High School. The proposed $64.2 million budget is 3.67 percent higher than the current budget, but it is $154,000 lower than the original $64.4 million budget proposed by Superintendent of Schools Regina L. Botsford. Her budget reflected a 3.92 percent increase over the current budget. During budget workshops Feb. 26 and March 5, the BoE shaved $154,000 off Botsford’s budget. Four budget workshops were scheduled, with two more to be held March 13 and 24, but the last two were canceled when the BoE determined they were not needed. BoE member John Cookson explained the cuts. He said the BoE decided to reduce the cost of inservice training by using Title I grant money and reduced the referendum budget by limiting it to two referendums. Cookson said historically there have not been more than two referendums for taxpayers each year they have voted on the Region 15 budget. Another cut was possible because new software for the School Messenger program that informs parents costs less than the current software. The BoE cut its own budget, too, reducing it to $3,000 from $10,000. The costs of inventory management were cut by moving the hiring of an outside inventory management company to every other year instead of every year. A final cut was made in the copier budget by delaying purchase of a new copier at the high school. Last year, between the time the 2013-2014 budget was proposed and the time it went to the polls, it was reduced $1.04 million. Asked why this year’s reduction was $154,000, Cookson said, “There is nothing to cut. You have to pay your debt and the increases in salaries and pensions.” The Region 15 website has a summary of the results of a budget survey conducted by the BoE. At its March 24 meeting, the BoE considered the results of three areas of the survey considered essential or very important to those participating in the survey: smaller class sizes, up-to-date technology and advanced placement courses. These were valued by parents, future parents and staff at 87 percent, 90 percent, and 91 percent, respectively. In contrast, non-parents valued them at 53 percent, 73 percent and 79 percent, respectively Cookson declined to comment on the proposed budget, saying he first wanted to hear what the public had to say Monday night. Asked if people are approaching him as a BoE member, he said, “I’m not really hearing anything at the present time. It’s very quiet out there.” BoE member Fran Brennan said he is still deliberating and has not yet made up his mind about the budget. Asked if he was concerned about the budget increasing as enrollment is dropping, Brennan said, “I’m more concerned about the impact of common core long term. I think it is a major element
in increasing our budget. I can see it as a long-term expenditure.” BoE member Dick Spierto said, “My mind probably won’t be made up until Monday night after the final presentation and the public presentation.” Spierto said he knows from experience that you don’t know until the last minute what the final budget number will be because funds from the state or from grants can unexpectedly change the numbers. A slide in the budget presentation available on the Region 15 website (www.region15.org) under “Budget Info” lists budgets for a four-year period. For 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, there were zero increases. The current budget, 2013-2014, increased 2.82 percent, and the proposed budget is a 3.67 percent increase. On the slide, the four years are averaged to give an annual increase of 1.62 percent. Since the effect of the proposed 2014-2015 budget will be a 3.67 percent increase, the relevance of the 1.62 percent average is unclear. If the budget total remains unchanged Monday night and the budget passes May 7, Middlebury taxpayers will pay $20.1 million, or 31.33 percent, compared to the current budget, for which Middlebury is paying $19.8 million, or 31.87 percent, and Southbury taxpayers will pay $44.1 million, or 68.67 percent, compared to $42.2 million, or 68.13 percent. It’s possible Region 15 revenues from other sources may lower the amount each town has to pay. The change in percentages attributable to each town is based on enrollment numbers on Oct. 1, 2013. Middlebury had 1,257 students compared to 1,309 on Oct. 1, 2012, a decrease of 52 students. Southbury had 2,755 students compared to 2,798 on Oct. 1, 2012, a decrease of 43 students. Overall there are 95, or 2.4 percent, fewer students in the 2014-2015 fiscal year than in 2013-2014. Savings in the proposed budget will come in part from having four fewer full-time effort teachers due to lower enrollment and savings from 23 teachers taking an early retirement incentive. Three of those 23 positions will not be filled. The district also will save the cost of four full-time effort teachers for at-risk students because they will be funded by a Title 1 grant. Personnel-related savings total $537,000. The unavoidable increases Cookson referred to total $1.1 million, or 1.84 percent after the offset of the $537,000 in personnel-related savings. This is due to contract, Social Security and Medicare increases and also $125,000 in additional pension obligations. Taxpayers will have one final opportunity to address the proposed budget with the BoE at the Monday night public hearing. It is unclear whether or not the BoE would make further changes to the budget as a result of public input Monday night, but following the public hearing the BoE will vote on adopting the proposed budget. The next budget action will be the Wednesday, May 7, referendum for voters in Middlebury and Southbury to accept or reject the proposed budget.
Inside this Issue Library Happenings.......... 2 Library Lines.................... 2 Obituaries....................... 5 Region 15 School Calendar....3 Senior Center Events....... 3 Sports Quiz..................... 6 Varsity Sports Calendar.... 6
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Adoptable Pets................ 8 Book Review................... 2 Classifieds....................... 7 Community Calendar....... 2 Fire Log........................... 3 In Brief............................ 4 Legal Notices.................. 7
saturDAY & Sunday
April 5 & 6
Warmer weather with temperatures in the 50s had melted most of the winter ice on Fenn Pond Tuesday, giving residents hope the long, cold winter was finally coming to an end. Over on Route 188, however, ice still covered most of Turtle Pond. (Marjorie Needham photo)
Middlebury town budget hearing Monday night By MARJORIE NEEDHAM The Middlebury Board of Finance (BoF) will host a public hearing Monday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the firehouse at 65 Tucker Hill Road in Middlebury to present the proposed 2014-2015 Middlebury town budget. This is the same night Regional School District 15 has scheduled a public hearing for its 20142015 budget, which will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School AP Room. The proposed town budget stands at $9.98 million compared to the current town budget of $10.1 million. However, BoF Chairman Michael McCormack said taxes will increase 2.8 percent due to a revenue shortfall for 20142015. For the 2013-2014 budget, $518,000 was taken from the unassigned fund balance and used as revenue. For 2014-2015, $95,000 from the unassigned fund balance was counted as revenue.
Greenway reminders With the weather improving, Middlebury Police would like to remind users of the greenway and parks to leave their valuables at home. Every year people come to the greenway and the parks and lock their valuables in their cars. Additionally, some people open their car trunk by using the trunk release in the car and then place their valuables in the trunk. The person then walks away, and the criminal breaks the window to take the valuables from the car or use the trunk release to get the valuables out of the trunk. This is a statewide problem. Most of the time the stolen credit cards are used right away and, by the time the victim gets back to the car and calls the police, the damage has been done. If you see suspicious people
Although the total tax increase cannot be determined at this time, the proposed 20142015 Region 15 school budget of $64.2 million is a 3.67 percent increase over the current school budget and may increase Middlebury’s contribution to $20.1 million compared to its current $19.8 million if the Region 15 budget passes at the polls on May 7. If both the town and school district budgets pass at their current levels, Middlebury’s total town and school budget will likely be $30.1 million compared to its current $29.8 million. Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John said Wednesday residents aren’t saying much to him about the proposed town budget. “I think it is as bare bones as your going to get when it comes to an operating budget,” he said. “There’s not much meat to pick off the bones.” The Region 15 budget, however, is another matter. “I’m not getting negative comments
on the town budget, but I am on the school budget,” St. John said. “People are concerned the school budget is going to be more than we can afford.” Chief Financial Officer Lawrence Hutvagner said some of the biggest changes made to the town budget included removing $10,000 for the Lake Quassapaug Association. Hutvagner said the money would have gone towards a project dealing with invasive weeds in the lake. The removal of police department overtime money was done without the BoF defining which of the overtime categories was to be lowered. Hutvagner said there are three police overtime categories: regular overtime, school security overtime and special duty paperwork overtime. Hutvagner said the BoF reduced the amount $15,000 below the
– See Budget on page 5
Police matters hanging around the parking lots along the greenway or at the parks, be sure to report them to the police. Police also remind people out jogging, walking or walking their dogs to wear reflective clothing or bright colors to be more visible. Alleged stalking Middlebury Police were called Saturday, March 29, at approximately 10:24 a.m. by a woman who said she was being stalked by a old boyfriend. An incident had taken place at the Blast Gym on Straits Turnpike in Middlebury, where the complainant was working out. She observed her ex-boyfriend watching her. After receiving the complaint, Middlebury and Naugatuck Police went to 560 North Church St. in Naugatuck and arrested Carlos Filipe Pascoal, 29, in a bathroom at the residence. He
had locked himself in the bathroom in an attempt to avoid being arrested. Pascoal was charged with third-degree stalking, a violation of C.G.S. 53a-181e, and interfering /resisting arrest, a violation of C.G.S. 53a-167a. Pascoal was held on $50,000 bond and was arraigned in Superior Court GA#4 Monday morning, March 31. The court raised his bond to $150,000 and instructed him to appear again in Superior Court Tuesday, April 29. Police said there had been previous incidents between the victim and suspect in the past. Officer Demers was the investigating officer. Domestic disturbance Sunday, March 30, at about 7:30 p.m., police responded to the former Golden Age of Trucking Museum at 1101 Southford Road in Middlebury to investi-
gate a domestic dispute. Police determined the dispute had started in Southbury, and Southbury Police also conducted an independent investigation. Michael Zuraitis, 51, of Watertown, Conn., was charged by Middlebury Police with criminal violation of a protective order, a violation of C.G.S. 53a-223. Jennifer Posegate, 45, whose last known address was 192 Heritage Village in Southbury, was charged with third-degree assault, a violation of G.G.S. 53a-61, and disorderly conduct, a violation of C.G.S. 53a-182. Zuraitis was relased on a $5,000 non-surety bond and turned over to Southbury Police. Posegate was released on a written promise to appear. Both were due in court for arraignment Monday, March 31. Officer Marcantonio was the investigating officer.
Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale What: When: Where: Info:
Panthers’ softball team balances youth, experience
Plant show, plant auctions, plant sales, lectures, vendors Saturday 10 a.m to 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Naugatuck Valley Community College at 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury Free admission; free parking. 50 free plants given away each day.
Public Hearing on proposed Middlebury town budget
monDAY
April 7
Page 6
What: Public presentation of the Board of Finance’s proposed 2014-2015 Middlebury budget When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Tucker Hill Road Firehouse, 65 Tucker Hill Road, Middlebury
Public Hearing on proposed Region 15 budget
What: Public hearing and adoption of Region 15 Board of Education’s proposed 2014-2015 budget When: 7:30 p.m. Where: AP Room, Pomperaug High School Published weekly by The Middlebury Bee Intelligencer Society, LLC - 2030 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762 - Copyright 2014
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