to be reduced. He stated at their May 21, 2025 meeting the Finance Committee reduced the
budget by $621,571; and reduced the mil rate increase from 2.76 to 1.99. He stated that the
Finance Committee has recommended the Town Council approve to forward the following
proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget in the amount of $70,440,669 comprised of a General
Government: $29,933,427_ and Board of Education: $40,507,242. to a Second Referendum, noting
that it would require a project mil rate of 37.20.
Councilor Saccone stated that the proposed Amendment to reduce the salary increases by
$32,248 would be less than a $5.00 per month savings in their tax bills; and it would not lower the
1.99 mil rate increase. He went on to state that Finance Director Matthew Bonin has made the town
nearly $2 million in interest earnings over the last two years. He stated these revenues have saved
Ledyard residents $2 million in tax dollars. He stated these Administrator/Department Heads have
earned these salary increases, noting that he would be voting “No” on the Amendment on the
floor.
Chairman Rodriguez stated these Administrator/Department Heads were getting raises noting that
they all know that they were qualified; they were excellent employees, and they want them all to
stay, noting that they were still getting a raise. However, she stated they also have a very difficult
budget, and the residents have spoken.
Chairman Rodriguez continued by stating that she was shocked by the results of the Advisory
Questions noting that the General Government received about 100 more votes than the Board of
Education in response to whether the budget was Too High. However, she stated if they include
the Capital Budget cuts that the Board of Education’s budget was being cut by almost double the
amount that the General Government was being cut.
Chairman Rodriguez stated that she understands the Employee Classification 10 Town Salary
Study was done about two-years ago. Therefore, she questioned the reason the Mayor did not
begin to implement the salary increases last year, stating that the increases could have been made
over a couple of budget years. Mayor Allyn provided some background noting that they began
discussing the need to bring the Administrator/Department Heads salaries in line with market
value for the positions. He stated because another town was already conducting a Salary Survey
that Ledyard was able to save about $30,000 - $50,000 by using their Salary Study instead of
conducting Study on their own. He stated in reviewing the data that there were five salaries that
were below their counterparts in neighboring municipalities. He stated they began the process to
bring these employees’ salaries to the right place last year, noting that they addressed the salaries
of two positions during the current fiscal year, and that they were addressing the salaries for
these three positions in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget. Chairman Rodriguez stated
that they wanted to give the salary increases, however, the voters have spoken loud and clear.
Therefore, she stated that she thought it would be best to increase these salaries incrementally
over a couple of budget years, noting that these Administrators/Department Heads would still be
getting raises.
Councilor Buhle stated that she was proud of the way the Finance Committee worked together at
their May 21, 2025 meeting. She stated if they were going to discuss incremental raises that she
would agree with Mayor Allyn that 4% increases were not incremental to a point that would
bring the salaries inline moving forward. However, she stated when the taxpayers looked at the
budget and saw these salary increases that they were commenting that their salary increases did
not even come close to what the Administrator/Department Heads were getting; especially when
