Council Adopts Budget with Zero Tax Increase
By Robin Vinci | Editor at June 11, 2024 | 6:30 pm | Print
By a vote of 13-2 the Common Council voted to approve mostly what was Mayor Erin Stewart’s budget for 2016 on Wednesday night. The tax rate will remain at 49 mills.
“We made a concerted effort to keep taxes where they are. There is a concern if they are absorbing last year’s 11 percent tax increase or not,” said Mayor Pro Tem Suzanne Bielinski (D). “I want to thank both caucuses for trying to work together to reach a consensus. We do have concerns with the debt service. This is by no means a perfect budget. But we tried to do what we can to make the changes we felt were necessary at this time.”
There was one bit on controversy as Alderman Lou Salvio (R) wanted to remove the position of Common Council Administrative Service Officer. That position is held by Jessica Gerratana. Although Salvio was recently the complainant in a civil service commission complaint against Gerratana, he said this was not political. Bielinski recused herself from the vote.
He proposed Gerratana’s job duties be done by the Town Clerk’s Office saving the City about $41,000.
“This is about a position I feel is redundant and has been for over 35 years. It was demonstrated in January that the Town Clerk’s Office created an agenda in record time for a Council meeting,” said Salvio. “If they can do the job, why does it have to be done any other way?”
Democratic Alderman David DeFronzo immediately responded to Salvio’s amendment to the budget stating that it was political as Salvio has been an Alderman for 11 years and this is the first time he has opposed this position.
The amendment did not pass.
“I do want to thank the Mayor on her efforts on the budget. I am going to vote ‘no’ but I think the Mayor did a good job listening to both sides and she deserves credit for that,” said DeFronzo. “I do think, however, we are putting off tough decisions for next year and the year after.”
Alderman Jamie Giantonio (R) said that he has voted on four budgets and the first two were contentious and closed. Last year’s budget was open, but difficult, as it had an 11 percent increase.
“We all did a great job of coming together and reaching compromises. A lot of it comes from the Mayor’s leadership. Because of that we have a very good budget that does not raise taxes and does not drastically cut services. It’s been a great process from start to finish,” said Giantonio.
Alderman Carlo Carlozzi (D) said this was his sixth budget and he voted no for the first four of them. Last year he voted yes.
“It’s very difficult when the house has not been fiscally taken care of for a number of years,” said Carlozzi. “A lot of things in other budgets didn’t make sense. Last year was difficult to approve, but necessary to get our house back in order. I would love to have a two or three mill decrease this year, but that is not reality. This is a realistic budget.”
Alderman Daniel Salerno (Democrat who caucuses with Republicans) said in many ways this is the Mayor’s budget. But, Councilman had the ability to cut it.
“Because of the action of the 12-3 vote last year we are in the position where we are. We have seen an improvement in our Grand List. We have seen an interest by developers. We have seen our bonding rating go up,” said Salerno. “This budget is a further step in the right direction.”
Alderman Michael Trueworthy (D) said that he approves of the budget because of what happened at the State Level.
“I was heavily leaning against it. The idea that all the problems will be solved overnight is naïve. This is headed in that direction,” said Trueworthy. “The State coming to our aid with an additional $5 million will help deal with our debt.”
Democratic Alderman Adam Platosz, who along with DeFronzo in voting against the budget, did not comment on his concerns.
Stewart originally presented her budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2016 at a special meeting of the Common Council in April.
“This budget represents an investment in a stronger tomorrow for New Britain,” said Mayor Stewart at that time. “It ensures that we will continue to meet our most sacred obligations. But it also makes key investments in new technology so that citizens can interact with their government with ease and peace of mind. We are investing in key personnel and we are prudently realigning existing debt from years ago so that we can pay our bills in a responsible manner.”
Prior to the meeting a bonding meeting was held and about $2.5 million in funds were transferred.
Those included funds from the Washington Pool Fund Project going to the Chesley Park Renovation Project. Plans call for the Washington Pool to become a splash pad in the future.
Funds were moved to Stanley Quarter Park to finish the walking trail and Diamond 1.
Money was added to hire an engineering firm to consider a new pool at AW Stanley Park.
Some funds went from the Broad St. Project to Streetscape. Other funds expanded the DiLoreto School to have a greenhouse and expanded Gaffney School to have a new storage facility. Other funds went towards fixing bleachers at Veteran’s Stadium.
No new bonds were added.
