RTM Hears Citizens, Officials As It Begins Budget Process

Reported and written by Ellyn Santiago.

It was not a public hearing, but one wouldn’t have known that given the first 90 minutes of the RTM Annual Budget meeting was devoted to allowing residents after resident come to the podium to voice their, generally, support for keeping the education budget intact, fully fund the Noank-Mystic Library and the symphony ($1,000 for the latter) and more programs and departments.

A very few of the speakers shared ideas on ways to cut the proposed Town budget further to achieve a near-zero mil rate increase.  

One of the most outspoken was Groton City Mayor Marian Galbraith who saw the Town Council cut the City of Groton’s $4.39 million budget request for highways and police more than $575,000, a cut of 13 percent.  

The budget proposed by the city would have kept the city’s tax rate stable at 4.595 mills, a zero percent increase. Town councilors cut the city’s highway request 16 percent and the city’s police request 10 percent.  


“We are willing to sit down and discuss efficiencies …but sharing efficiencies is not as simple as snapping one’s fingers or in this case, lobbing off a chunk of money saying it will be so,” she said to the RTM.

“Just gouging the city budget doesn’t make efficiencies begin to happen. Al it does is leave the city’s public services under-funded. City residents who already pay the same town taxes as every other town resident will either have their services cut or go without services; a choice other town residents don’t have to make.”  

Town Mayor Heather Somers corrected the record, she said.   “There’s been nothing punitive,” she said. “We’re looking at what’s best for all 40,000 residents, not just one particular area.” Somers said she hoped the RTM would “try and take the emotion out of (its deliberations).”  

Town Councilor Bruce Flax called the city budget “bloated” and suggested the city “can cut plenty” including “the PR firm for $63,000” and reduce trash pickup form three times a week to twice. He also said the City is benefitting from FEMA disaster funds for Hurricane Sandy: “They can absorb” Town Council suggested cuts.  

Flax was reprimanded by two RTM members for trying to “micro-manage” the city.  

One after the other residents came to the podium, scores of them with a handful providing specific places to cut. Natalie Billing was one. Billing, a former member of all three Groton elected boards, Town Council, Board of Education and RTM, said she was “here to support some reductions.”  

“Do you believe the voters will approve a 1 mil increase? I don’t,” she said. “I believe the Town Council moved in the right direction. I believe voters will support 1/3 of a mil. You don’t need to get to a zero increase but there are possible reductions.”

She listed a few: cutting leasing fees and the capital reserve contributions and to put off removing asbestos (“It can wait.”) and the proposed aquatic facility (“Not at this time.”) And she said, “An administrative position could be cut without (negatively affecting students.)”  

“There is wiggle room. $300,000 can be cut without impacting children in the classrooms,” she said. “I’m a fiscal realist. I’m not someone who thinks there should be no tax increase,” she said.    

Resident MaryAnn Little of Noank said she “fully supported” the school budget as did resident Constance Readett.  

“How can I convince you to support (the education budget)? These children will be taking care of us one day. These children will be our doctors, our police,” she said. She also suggested that young families thinking of moving into Groton look at schools before deciding.  

“What will people see when they Google Groton? Let’s hope they see a Groton that supports (education),” she said.  

The RTM will meet again Wednesday to further discuss the budget.