By John Mauer
Last night, the Board of Finance started to talk seriously about the new budget year. First Selectman Bruce Adams reviewed the schedule and noted that he had told departments and board chairs that he expected a 0% increase this year in all budgets. However Ed Epstein, a newly elected member of the Board of Finance, jumped in and took exception to that position, indicating that the Town could spend more.
Tom Sides, a long-time BOF member, asked Adams, “Does the Board of Selectmen feel that the taxpayers in town want a lid on taxes rather than additional services?” Adams responded, “Yes.” Epstein then indicated that Kent was under taxed by state standards, and added, “In the last few years, we have been subjected to the BOF asking for a 0% increase. I would be cautious about throwing out numbers this early in the process.”
In the last few years, the BOF has opted to push for a zero mill rate increase and coming close. If anything, they were criticized for not making their goals known early in the process so Epstein’s comments seem to strike a nerve. Chris Garrity, the BOF chairman, defended the necessity for their previous actions; he noted that the BOF took action because guidance was not coming from other areas of government. Lynn Perry, a BOF member, added, “I applaud the Board of Selectmen for taking control. The leadership has been taken in exactly the right place.”
Epstein responded, “Our taxes are very low in respect to what we can pay.” Epstein is also the husband of former First Selectman, Ruth Epstein, who was frequently criticized by the BOF for a lack of fiscal control.
The BOF, who must act as a check and balance for the other boards, appears to be at a crossroads.
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We got into trouble when the Fire Department talked about Kent’s wealth and what it could pay for a new firehouse. In this shaky economy it seems that taxes should not be increased because some feel they could be more.