Jacob Hurt Nugget Hill Drive, thanked everyone for the amount of work put into the budget. He
wanted to address the fellow residents of the partisan rhetoric that’s been going on around town. He
would like it to stop. He also addressed the increase in the budget and that it is tough to afford. Mr.
Hurt mentioned that we need to grow the grand list for revenue, break down barriers for business,
get the infrastructure in place faster, stop blocking developments, pursue grants, and get more
housing in town that people can afford.
Gary McKeon, 15 Elizabeth Goerge Drive, he also owns two pieces of property in Ledyard where
he houses two of his companies. He thinks the biggest take away here is that this is a massive tax
increase. On one of his businesses alone he estimates the tax increase to be $4,500 -5,000. This
council has a duty and obligation. We are one of two towns in this region where the Council did not
push back on the Board of Education budget. He has a ton of grandkids in the school system, but he
also feels that the Superintendent is doing a great job but that he feels he came forward with a wish
list and we all must live within our means. Mr. McKeon will be voting no so that they can come
back and reassess what their needs are and not what our wishes are.
Councilor Ryan, wants to clarify that the budget vote at Council was not unanimous. If anyone is
interested in looking at how the votes went, they can go back and watch it.
Councilor Buhle wanted to share that the current assessed value is based on the 2020 grand list, not
current market value. We are going through a current revaluation, but it does not affect this current
budget.
Mr. McKeon, also shared that he agrees that it is not easy for businesses to come into Ledyard.
Ledyard does not have a very friendly reputation. We need to grow the grand list.
Councilor Garcia-Irizarry, wanted to clarify a couele of things with the Board of Education budget.
Seventy percent of the budget is contractual salaries and inflation and there is nothing the council
can do without being in violation of the contract. The other thirty percent includes things such as
interventionists, materials, etc. If they cut into that portion, they will be sacrificing the educational
experience of the students. She asked if you vote no, what do you think can be cut to decrease the
mill rate.
Councilor Brunelle, summed up that she is hearing from the public is how we want to make Ledyard
more welcoming to businesses and families as well. A big point of that is to take care of your
children and take care of your schools. If they keep cutting, the school system goes down and people
won’t want to move here. No one likes taxes. We want our children to grow up and get jobs here
and open businesses here. You need to build your community.
Jamie Lohr, 16 Barton Lane, inquired if the Federal Government grants that go to the town
programs are pulled, how will it affect our budget.
Mayor Allyn, stated that there is a contingency plan for both the Superintendent’s budget and the
General Government budget if the funding doesn’t meet the anticipated level. The Town could
adsorb a smaller cut for instance five percent but if they were to cut fifteen percent, that is a whole
different ball game.
Mr.Hartling, added that the Federal funding represents about 2.9 percent of their budget. About
$400,000 is federally appropriated and can’t be rescinded. They receive a total of about 2.2 million
in Federal dollars. There is no good answer to what will happen if they cut these funds.
Chairman St. Vil then asked if anyone online had any public comments.
