The meeting room at East Windsor Town Hall was packed with residents Wednesday as the Board of Finance deliberated cutting the budget after a second failed referendum.
Sixteen residents weighed in on what they would like to see done with the 2013-14 budget, which failed at a referendum for the second time on Tuesday.
Thirteen of those who spoke said they would like to see a larger spending increase than the proposed 1.98 percent that failed at the last referendum.
Resident John Simonelli said that misinformation had contributed to the referendums being rejected twice.
"I want to ask people who want a zero-growth budget, 'What is your strategic growth for the town in 5-10-15 years?'" Simonelli asked. "We have to spend money sooner or later."
Simonelli said that if there were a severe storm that resulted in the need for the emergency shelter in town, there would be no backup generator for the high school. There is no trailer to store the MREs and cots provided.
"For a couple of years, you can cheat the Grim Reaper," he said. "But you can't do it forever."
Cathy Bilodeau was among those who echoed Simonelli's comments.
"I've been appalled at the misinformation that came forth," she said. "We wanted a budget with a 1.98 percent increase. That's below 2 percent. ... What do they want?"
But resident Jack Mannette, a vocal critic of the two failed budgets, explained in the video above how he concluded that residents would realize a 20 to 25 percent tax increase if one of the budgets passed.
Sharon Musko said that she favored cutting more from the budget.
"Look at the town, and if you have to cut more to satisfy the voters, do what you have to do," she said.
In the end, the finance board kept the budget at a 2 percent spending increase.
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