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05/16/2023 03:53 PMWestbrook voters put overwhelming support behind the proposed $33,348,689 2023-’24 budget, approving the measure at a May 15 town meeting.
The newly approved budget represents a $1,441,083 or 4.5% increase over the current fiscal year budget. Following the vote, the mill rate was set at 21.32, a 2.7% increase.
The entire $33,348,689 proposed budget is a sum that includes a proposed town budget of $13,934,569 and a proposed education budget of $19,414,120.
The budget vote was done by a voice vote, so the exact number of results cannot be pinpointed, but it appeared that the vote to approve the budget was unanimous.
Besides the proposed budget, citizens also passed a five-year capital plan. That vote was also done orally and appeared to have no objections.
The capital plan has $2,190,240 worth of projects slated for fiscal year 2023-’24. Under the capital plan, funds were allocated for a new police cruiser, new radars, and new Tasers. Money was also set aside for items like new radios for the fire department and long-term projects like paving, sidewalks, dredging, and land conservation projects.
Following the budget approval, the Board of Finance met to officially set the mill rate. The mill rate was set at 21.32, which is a 2.7% increase. According to Finance Director Donna Castracane, under the new mill rate, the average Westbrook property tax will increase $154.
“We spent a lot of time on that the budget, and we listened to the department heads and listened to each other on the board and got a lot of input. We made hard decisions, but I think we did well keep the increase fair,” said Board of Finance Chairman Paul Winch.
As for the increase in the budget, Winch attributed it largely to rising utility costs.
The town did add services such as creating a new facilities manager position and expanding hours to the social services department. That, combined with rising utility costs and medical benefits, were cited as significant drivers of the budget increase this year, but Winch added that he felt there was a silver lining for the town.
“In the last 18 months, the town did settle several negotiations that should fix our costs for the next few years. It’s not glamorous, but it’s important and should help the town going forward,” Winch said in an interview earlier this year.
First Selectman John Hall said he was glad the budget season was over and the spending proposal was well-received by the town.
“We worked very hard to get where we are, and I think it’s a fair budget that delivers services,” Hall said.