Woodbridge Budget in Hands of Board of Finance

The Woodbridge Board of Selectmen has approved recommendation of a spending plan that carries a 0.3% mill rate increase last night. The budget is now in the hands of the Board of Finance, and according to town Finance Director Anthony Genovese, there are hopes that when the finance board is finished with its review, there will be no increase at all.

A few details:

• Woodbridge currently has a 33.11% mill rate.
• The budget-to-budget increase now stands at about $400,000.
• Requests that were not granted include $160,000 for technology at Beecher Road School.
• The fire department's request for three new trucks was tabled until the following year.
• The town will see a $30,000 reduction in funding from the state.
• The increase was offset by a .47% increase in the grand list from FY2011 to FY2012.
• The Conservation Commission's budget for professional services was cut in response to the commission hiring an attorney during the cell tower controversy last spring without first obtaining authorization from the Board of Selectman. If the Commission requires funds for professional services in FY2012, it will have to submit a request from the Board of Selectmen.
• The town continues negotiations with the police union and the town employee union. No increases were accounted for for either departmental budget. 

The Board of Finance will meet on March 2 to discuss the budget proposal and a preliminary budget hearing will be held on April 11. Residents will vote on the budget at an annual town meeting on Monday, May 16.