By Wiley Wood

On April 29, the Norfolk Board of Finance presented its budget for fiscal year 2013-2014 to a smattering of Norfolk residents at the Botelle School.

The board’s chairman, Michael Sconyers, announced a total increase over last year’s budget of less than 1 percent, translating to a mill rate of 20.22, a bump of .03 mills.

Requested increases of 4 and 5 percent from the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education respectively were trimmed back. Spending will rise 2.61 percent for general government and 2.91 percent for Botelle School.

The town’s reserve fund, known as the Positive Fund Balance, will contribute $400,000 to the coming year’s expenditures. Sconyers describes the PFB’s remainder of some $750,000 as being adequate for the town’s contingency needs and within the recommended guidelines.

A town resident asked the extent of Norfolk’s unfunded liability for its pension program. Sconyers set it at around $1 million, adding: “It’s a problem we’re working on.”

The proposed budget will be put to vote by Norfolk residents at a town meeting on May 13 at 7 p.m. at the Botelle Hall of Flags. It can be viewed by clicking here.