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Post by oldetowne on Feb 1, 2006 10:25:46 GMT -5
At least the grand list didn't go down. This is what we have to show for 15 years worth of "aggressive economic development efforts" in town? Look forward to another 8.5% to 10% property tax increase this year.
Grand List Rises About 1 Percent
Slight Gains In Each Of Three Categories
By MARYELLEN FILLO
Courant Staff Writer
February 1 2006
WETHERSFIELD -- Residential development, motor vehicle purchases and commercial expansion have nudged the town's grand list up about 1 percent.
"It's not a lot but it's in the right direction," Town Manager Bonnie Therrien said of the 2005 grand list, which totaled $1.99 billion. "I'm happy it didn't go down."
Gains were slight in each of three categories, with real estate showing the biggest climb, from about $1.75 billion after adjustments in 2004 to $1.76 billion in 2005.
"We did not have a lot of new construction," said Therrien, noting that more recent projects are expected to strengthen the 2006 grand list. "But what we do have is some additional revenue."
Personal property increased from about $65.28 million in 2004 to $70.45 million in 2005. Motor vehicle values increased from about $155 million in 2004 to about $162 million in 2005.
"We really expected the growth to be about this," said Mayor Russ Morin, noting that the 1 percent increase was the highest in the past few years. "We would all like it to be higher and we have worked to grow it," he said. "We are trying our best, staying optimistic and won't get discouraged."
For the past few years, the town has adopted an aggressive economic development program aimed at revitalizing the commercially rich Silas Deane Highway to diversify the town's tax base.
Therrien said the list of the town's largest taxpayers as well as more detailed information on the grand list numbers is being finalized.
Copyright 2006, Hartford Courant
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Feb 2, 2006 11:54:05 GMT -5
Since the Wethersfield Public Schools (under the direction of the B.O.E.) receives the largest per cent of the budget each year, it behooves the public to be aware of any and all aspects of this portion of the Wethersfield budget.
A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION shall be held to allow the superintendent of schools Pat Proctor, Ed.D, the opportunity to present to the Board his recommended WPS budget. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM today, 2/2/2006, in the lower level meeting room of the Francis Stillman Bldg (for the BOE/WPS) at the corner of Hartford Avenue and Francis Street.
There will be opportunities for the public to speak (5 minutes each time) at the beginning and at the end of this special meeting.
The public is encouraged to attend and if so inclined to speak.
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Feb 2, 2006 12:38:15 GMT -5
Though the Majority Party has an iron grip on the BOE (and the Council), they have yet to fill the BOE seat vacated by Adamian.
Some of you might be concerned about the possibility of MP taking tonite's meeting as the opportunity to do so.
Can't happen: items cannot be added to the agenda of a special meeting.
The agenda reads:
1. Call to Order - 7:00 PM
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment [sic]
4. Reports/Discussion Items:
Presentation on the Superinendent's Recommended 2006-07 Budget
5. Board Questions and Comments
6. Public Comment [sic]
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Mar 9, 2006 13:06:34 GMT -5
TOWN OF WETHERSFIELD
TOWN COUNCIL
Budget FY 2006/2007
BUDGET WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Monday, April 10, 2006
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Nature Center
Overview; Revenues, General Government; Planning & Development
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Nature Center
Library Health; Social & Youth Services; Recreation & Parks
Monday, April 17, 2006
7:00 p.m. at Wethersfield High School Auditorium
Public Hearing on PROPOSED TOWN BUDGET
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Nature Center
Police; Fire; Ambulance; Non-Departmental; Other Funds – Debt
Monday, April 24, 2006
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Nature Center
Public Works; Capital Improvements
Wednesday, April 26, 2005
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Nature Center
Education; Catch up (if necessary); Budget Amendments
Monday, May 1, 2006
7:00 p.m. at Silas Deane Middle School
Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
5:30 p.m. at Nature Center
Catch-up (if necessary)
Wednesday May 3, 2005
5:30 p.m. at SDMS
Budget Amendments; BUDGET ADOPTION **
by Deadline of May 15, 2005
** Back Up Dates: Monday, May 8, 2006 and
Wednesday, May 10, 2006, if needed.
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JoeSixpack
Silver Member
This ones for you
Posts: 35
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Post by JoeSixpack on Apr 8, 2006 21:12:34 GMT -5
It looks like another ugly year in the making. The town mgr. is calling for 7.75% increase or about 2.67 mills and a yearly tax increase of only $442 per year for a home valued at about $166,000.
First off why do they use a low assessment to try to sell this? I find it hard to believe that $166,000 is the average in town.
Again we have to set aside $1.4 million to replace the radio system that our former police chief and Deputy Mayor rammed down our throats and still does not work right.
How about the new firehouse being proposed for the ambulance site, which will serve as headquarters and other stuff, that should be a dooooozy in the budget.
Just remember "its for the children".
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Post by morganika on Apr 9, 2006 8:18:23 GMT -5
Yup, it's another ugly year all right. Honest folks, this council has us debating whether we can keep our house or not. I'm sure the rest of you are all rolling in the big bucks, cause you keep voting these guys in. How about a little respect for the little people?
I fail to understand why an established town like Wethersfield requires so much money. Avon's increase is like 2%. Rocky Hill never gets increases like this.
I realize Russ has a big state job and probably gets a whopper raise every year. My husband and I get like 3% apiece and it's not keeping up with these increases.
Is anyone interested in a lovingly restored colonial?
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Post by Jubashero on Apr 9, 2006 9:45:53 GMT -5
Another 8%; what caught my attention was the blurb about spending $10000 to get $164000. Instead of increasing it to only $20000, let's increase it to spending $1000000 and geting back $164,000,000, which may cover our taxes for a year. Wait, that $164,000,000 will be coming from some of us. So some of us will have a retroactive tax dating back for three years above the "listed" 28%.
I hope the Town Manager doesn't have a bridge for sale.
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Post by SyZyGy on Apr 10, 2006 5:14:53 GMT -5
Gripe, Gripe, Gripe!
Tell Council
& bleeding BOE
What you think!
(Too many overpaid*
Teachers and Admins)
Invite likeminded too!
Be seen;
be heard.
Put up,
or shut up
or just
Pay up!
Dial up,
Sign up
ASAP
with Clerk
WHS 4/17/2006
Public hearing:
06-07 budget.*includes all benefits
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Post by Jubashero on Apr 10, 2006 8:56:41 GMT -5
Where is a copy of the budget available for the public to review?
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Post by morganika on Apr 10, 2006 9:01:43 GMT -5
"Tell Council
& bleeding BOE
What you think!"
Not sure how this works. Please help me. If I go the to public hearing next Monday at the High School I will be allowed to speak?? Is there a time limit?? If enough people speak up will it help, or will I be publicly embarassed for naught??
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Post by oldetowne on Apr 10, 2006 11:47:06 GMT -5
I have stayed out of this for a while, but.... "Tell Council & bleeding BOE What you think!" Not sure how this works. Please help me. If I go the to public hearing next Monday at the High School I will be allowed to speak?? Is there a time limit?? If enough people speak up will it help, or will I be publicly embarassed for naught?? You can sign up, you can attend, you can speak. If you speak against the budget, be prepared to be ridiculed by the majority on the Council and BOE. Be prepared to be shunned by your neighbors or the parents of children in your kids' classes and by their teachers. Be prepared to be publicly lumped in together with the curmudgeons from the WTXA by people who don't know you. Be prepared to be called out by name by Council and Board members if you should ever have the nerve to attend one of their meetings. If that doesn't suffice, and you decide to get involved in an open and active way, be prepared to have rumors spread around town about you. Be prepared to beat your head against the wall repeatedly if you question anything - and I mean ANYTHING - that is said or done by the folks running this town. Be prepared to become even more disenchanted by the process. And then give up, stay home and do practically nothing for the good of the town like 99.8% of the people do. Admittedly, some of this is overstatement for effect, but I know many people who can agree with much of it. |
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Post by morganika on Apr 10, 2006 13:03:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the warning. I guess most of what you said OT won't apply to me. I have no children in school, and I couldn't care less about my neighbors.
Where do I sign up, you mentioned signing up, and do you think it will help.
I'm sick and tired of taking crap from this council. They are a bunch of fools anyway.
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Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Apr 10, 2006 12:50:40 GMT -5
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Post by standish on Apr 10, 2006 16:06:01 GMT -5
Amen to your comments, OldeTowne. But, if you're moved by what's wrong, stand up for what's right. Plenty of negative reinforcement. No reward but your conscience.
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Post by cruzrt on Apr 10, 2006 18:58:20 GMT -5
Why doesn't the town put the full Budget Document on the town's website? If they don't know how, they can surely as the BOE staff, the formats are the same. Could it be the Town Hall does not want the general public to see all the details?
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