Town Meeting on Budget Tonight

Voters will have a chance to approve the 2013-14 Bethel budget at a special town meeting tonight, 7:30 p.m. at Bethel High School.

The town meeting is open to registered voters and property owners. Residents can vote to either approve the budget as recommended, or reduce it, but are not able to add funds to it.

The $67 million budget is an increase of about $2 million from last year's budget. It includes funds for school security and a $1.2 million request to continue into Phase Three of the town's four-year Road Recovery Plan. (Read full details about the plan from First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker here.)

• See a breakdown of the town budget by the numbers
• See a breakdown of the education budget by the numbers

"I  believe this is a very good budget," said Knickerbocker. "It is fair and balanced. It is a budget that maintains all town and school services.  It also accounts for a new police officer to improve school security and adds a badly needed ROTC instructor at the high school to insure that all students who want to participate in this extremely valuable and award winning program are able to do so."

In April, the Board of Finance voted to restore $17,883 to non-governmental organizations, $22,220 to the assessor's office, and $17,562 to an education budget that would allow for new positions at the high school.

"I have great confidence in the administration of the Board of Education that they're spending the money effectively," said Board of Finance chair William Kingston at the April 22 meeting. "The proof is in the results; the results are spectacular."

The process will continue next week, with Bethel's budget referendum scheduled for Thursday, May 16.