During the meeting, the council also grappled with the substantial increase in pension and insurance bills, with health insurance alone accounting for an additional half a million dollars in expenditures. The town’s experience ratio for health benefits was noted to be over 100, presenting challenges in securing affordable out-of-state health benefits. Despite these rising costs, the proposed municipal tax rate was reported to increase by $21.60 for the average home, a figure that was received as relatively positive news compared to previous years.

The allocation of funds for different projects was reviewed, with a particular focus on the road program, capital budget, and grants. A debate unfolded over the noticeable decrease in grant funds and the necessity to identify new avenues for securing grant money.

In addition to the budget, the council delved into the potential revenue from new properties, including the Miller Al house and the Paramount property. The introduction of cannabis licenses also sparked a debate, as council members weighed the prospective financial benefits against the potential impact on the community. The management of the town’s surplus was questioned, with some members inquiring into the necessity of maintaining a large reserve.

The council’s financial deliberations extended to the town’s public amenities, with topics such as pool fees, snack bar revenue, and the influence of weather on guest fees being discussed. Concerns were raised about the dependency of certain revenue streams on favorable weather conditions and the competition from new pools in the area.

Moving beyond direct revenue and expenses, the council also discussed the implications of public events on the town’s finances, the revenue-generating capabilities of the golf utility, and the management of the open space trust fund. The conversation turned to affordable housing pilots and the potential repercussions of discontinuing such initiatives.

Updates on the town’s outstanding debt were presented, with council members considering its impact on the town’s overall financial health. The relationship between the town’s debt and the management of the open space trust fund was also evaluated.

The effectiveness of the grant writing company employed by the town was scrutinized, with some council members expressing dissatisfaction with the current return on investment. Plans were made to schedule a meeting with the grant writing company to explore additional grants that could benefit the municipality.

In terms of development and shared services, the status of a fence construction project was discussed, as well as the revenue from the Board of Education and shared service agreements. The council reached a consensus to introduce the budget on the 11th and adopt it on the 9th of May, with a work session planned to further discuss the grant writer and budget.