Newtown's Budget: Where the Money's Going

Newtown's Board of Finance had a busy night. They met to talk about money. They approved some changes to the budget. They also accepted some grants for the police department. The meeting happened on April 14 at the Newtown Municipal Center. The board's chair, Steve Goodridge, led the meeting. Not all members were there. Barney Molloy and Bryce Chinault were missing. The board made some big decisions about money. They moved $436, 104 within the Department of Public Works budget. This money will cover winter maintenance, overtime, street lighting, and building upkeep. Most of the money came from the highway road improvement fund. The police department also got some extra cash. The board approved a $40, 000 transfer to cover salary overtime. Plus, they accepted five grants for the police. These grants will help with enforcement and training. The grants total over $100, 000. The town clerk also got $7, 000 for preserving historic documents. The First Selectman, Jeff Capeci, had some news too. He said the town hired a new facilities manager. This person starts in May. He also talked about the SAYT waste management program. It's set to launch in July. There's also interest in redeveloping some big industrial properties. The Finance Director, Glenys Salas, gave an update on the town's money plans. They received five bids for an investment advisor. A committee will interview candidates soon. The town is also working to make financial procedures easier with Edmond Town Hall. A revised proposal is going before the Board of Selectmen next week. The board also talked about some financial policies. But they didn't make any decisions on them. They'll discuss these policies more in the future. The meeting showed that the board is actively managing the town's money. They're making changes to the budget and accepting grants to support different departments. They're also planning for the future with new hires and programs. It's clear that the board is focused on keeping the town's finances in order.