Annual town meeting set for May 12

By Avice Meehan

Norfolk residents will be asked to approve a net town budget of $8.24 million for education and general government services at the annual town meeting scheduled for May 12 at Botelle Elementary School. 

The proposed budget—after adjustments are made for state aid and other revenues—represents an increase in of 2.74 percent over the current year. Spending for education is down, while expenditures for town government are up. 

A public hearing on the budget was held April 29 by the Board of Finance (BoF) at the Botelle School Hall of Flags and was livelier than anticipated. Many of the 20 or so residents came with a full list of questions. Those ranged from queries about a $40,000 line item for work at the town-owned City Meadow and funding for the temporary bridge at Smith Road to the availability of the annual audit and better ways to share of running the elementary school. There were no questions about the proposed new firehouse, although the budget includes $75,000 in interest costs should the project be approved. 

Several speakers asked about whether it would be possible to eliminate the City Meadow line item at town meeting. BoF Chair Michael Sconyers noted that voters can lower the proposed budget but not raise it. He suggested that those with questions attend a Selectmen’s meeting or speak with the town treasurer.

Henry Tirrell and Sandy Evans fielded questions on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. First Selectman Matt Riiska was unable to attend because he was recuperating from knee surgery. 

The estimated mill rate would be 22.49 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This reflects a significant decrease from prior years because Norfolk recently underwent a revaluation. Revaluation reflects shifts in property values and the value of property in town increased. As a result, the total grand list or value of taxable property, rose by 30 percent. The total value of real and personal property assessed for taxes is now $366,458,625, an increase of more than $84 million from the pre-revaluation grand list of $282,263,298.

“Don’t be fooled,” said First Selectman Matt Riiska when he presented the general government budget to the BoF on April 8. “This is not a huge windfall.” Riiska said the mill rate may continue to shift slightly as spending and revenue estimates are refined. For example, at the time of the BoF meeting, it had been pegged to 22.54. The final mill rate will be set by the BoF following the annual town meeting.

The proposed budgets for the Botelle Elementary School and Regional School District 7 would drop in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with total spending for education at $4,520,738  as compared to $4,795,573 in the current year. Norfolk would receive a modest $53,444 in state aid, up from the current $39,397.

Spending for town government would increase, however. The numbers have shifted slightly since the BoF approved the budget by a 5-1 vote, but the spending plan presented at the April 29 hearing would reflect an increase $421,657 over the current year budget of $4,273,153 for a total of $4,716,343. This would be offset by state aid, revenue from fees and permits, and state reimbursements for local capital projects (LoCIP). The amount to be raised through local taxes would be $3,941,063.

Questions at the April 8 BoF meeting focused on three areas: salaries for town employees, the funds allocated for City Meadow and capital expenditures, including the $75,000 placeholder for interest payments associated with borrowing for the proposed firehouse. Riiska noted that the budget includes $150,000 for the capital reserve fund and $38,000 to refurbish a plow truck. In response to a question from the public, Riiska said the cost of a temporary bridge at Smith Road, would be between $100,000 and $125,000 with the funds coming from the tow’s capital reserve account.  

Also at the April meeting, Sconyers asked for approval to consult with the Board of Selectmen about creating a fire district to support emergency services in Norfolk, as well as the option of seeking payments in lieu of taxes from tax-exempt organizations in town.

Sconyers said many organizations are unable to make voluntary contributions for services such as the fire department, and that he would like to get a legal opinion on ways to expand the available base of support. He cited North Canaan as an example, and in that community, the fire district supports lights, sidewalks and the town sewer.