Officials look ahead to budget
Posted on:
Monday, May 18, 2009 - 8:18am
Immediately after passing the budget, town officials began looking ahead toward the next budget process.
"The budget of cost containment became a budget of blame," said council member David Zoni. "Tonight we're putting the budget of blame behind us to a dustbin. We vote on a budget of reality."
"I know there have been many difficult decisions by the board of education, the board of finance and now the town council. These decisions are a little bit easier to deal with in light of the surplus of $750,000 which is the board of education's. I commend all the boards for working together for the sake of the town of Southington and look forward to even better communication and teamwork during the next year, " said board of finance Chairman John Moise.
"Overall, what we've done over the last year is positive," said town council Chairman John Barry.
"As a group, good work on the budget. Going forward, we need to make an effort to focus on revenue coming in," said John Carmody, town council member.
"The only viable method to increase revenue is to increase property tax," said Barry. "The fundamental problem with the system is the system doesn't care who can afford to pay for increases in taxes."
Council member Michael Riccio said he wants to generate revenue through new ventures. "Let's have another economic summit," said Riccio. "We've seen what we've accomplished. Let's see where we can go from here."
Art Secondo, town council member, pointed to the economic development commission as "the best thing we've done."
Council member Nicholas DePaola commented on the many achievements of the town of Southington. "We're always moving and moving in a positive direction. Overall, we're in good shape. Should we rest on our laurels? No," DePaola said.
— Patricia Queen
