Legislative Council Will Revisit Budget Tonight

Newtown's Legislative Council will return to the town's 2013-14 proposed town and education budgets at a special meeting Tuesday night at the Newtown Municipal Center. The council will discuss and possibly act on a new budget proposal to go before voters in a second referendum later this month.

Legislative Council chair Jeff Capeci says he has held discussions with both First Selectman Pat Llodra and Board of Education chair Debbie Leidlein since the budgets failed in a town vote Tuesday.

"In my mind, I'm one council member looking for savings," said Capeci. "So I've asked them for suggestions."

Llodra will present at the next meeting, and Board of Education officials are expected to be present as well, said Capeci.

Voters rejected both sides of the budget last Tuesday, which would have led to an average tax hike of 5.24%, with a large majority saying the budget was not "too low." Both budgets contained high-profile school security increases that drew national attention in the aftermath of the Dec. 14 shooting.

According to the town charter, the Legislative Council has line-item power on the Selectman's budget -- they are able to reduce funds for specific items -- but can only reduce the educational budget by an overall dollar amount, with no say over individual items. Following a passed budget, the Board of Education will set the table for how its funds are distributed over the next year.

"If we say, 'We'd like you to take funds out,' they could say, 'Thank you for your suggestion,' but ultimately they have the authority on where the changes are made," said Capeci. Leidlein was unavailable for comment Monday.

The council has typically acted in a single meeting on budgets going back to referendum, said Capeci. The next budget referendum is scheduled for May 14.

The council will also discuss appointing the Public Building and Site Commission as the official building committee for the Sandy Hook Elementary School project. The town's task force is scheduled to discuss, and possibly act, on a decision as to whether the project will involve renovation or new construction at a meeting Friday night.