Berlin To Decide Spending/Taxes On Tuesday, April 29, How To Vote

BERLIN, CT — Voters next week in Berlin will be able to flex their democratic muscle and determine how their tax dollars will be spent and what it will cost them.

The Town of Berlin's annual budget referendum will take place on Tuesday, April 29, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all local poll sites.

Those locations are: District 1, Willard School at 1088 Norton Road, Berlin; District 2, Griswold School at 133 Heather Lane, Kensington; and District 3, Hubbard School at 139 Grove St., East Berlin.

Absentee ballots are available in the Berlin Town Clerk's office during regular business hours until Monday, April 28.

According to the latest budget figures, Berlin's proposed 2025-26 spending plan is comprised of:

• A $106.62 million combined town/education budget, which is $3.8 million or 3.68 percent larger than current spending.

• A $54.6 million education budget, which is $2.1 million or 4 percent larger.

• A $52 million town general government budget, which is $1.68 million or 3.34 percent larger.

In addition to ballot questions on multiple aspects of the budget, the ballot will also include advisory questions on whether folks voting "no" think the budget is too high or too low.

As for the tax impact, the budget going before voters would require a 30.68 mill rate, which is 0.47 mills larger than the tax rate paid last year.

For a home assessed at $350,000, the new mill rate translates into a $164.50 increase on their tax bill.

For more information on the Town of Berlin's budget situation, click on this link.