Budget Books and Other Documents

Here are all the budget documents for the 2011/2012 budget year. I’m having a bit of difficulty meshing the numbers in the budget with the Mayor’s budget message. 2011-2012 Budget Additional Analysis 2011-2012 Budget Book 2011-2012 Budget Detail 2011-2012 Budget Historical Comparison 2011-2012 Budget Revenue Historical Comparison 2011-2012 Budget Revenue 2011-2012 Form 1 & 2 – New Initiatives and Revenue Budget Preparation Schedule Capital Improvement Plan Narrative Capital... 

Taco Bell runs for the border… the East Hartford/Glastonbury border.

I’ve been noticing on the minutes and agendas coming through my mail box that a piece of new development appears to be on the way for Putnam Bridge Plaza on the East Hartford/Glastonbury line. In addition to the Arthur Treachers/Roasters Express/Nathan’s combo restaurant accompanying Shop Rite (Soft open on the 23rd! thanks Bill), Home Depot, Pet Smart, TD Bank, Cingular and a variety of other businesses, with even more on the other side of the road, it appears a new Taco Bell is imminent. I... 

A new direction for the East Hartford GOP?

Every new slate of officers offers the East Hartford Republicans a fresh chance at breaking the monotony of tax increases and land slide elections. This time is no different. The question is, will the outcome stay the same? Back in March the party took a much needed step in choosing new leadership and at the same time put forward somewhat of a surprise decision in electing the late, long serving Councilman Don Pitkin as the party chairman. Sadly, due to illness, Don never had the opportunity to sit... 

Currey afraid to stick her neck out? Not on tax increases.

Mayor Currey has found herself in the news again. What for this time? Advocating a local sales tax. Is this woman mad? No… I’m afraid she knows exactly what she is doing and just doesn’t care about how if affects us average Joes (and Joans). From Capitol Watch: East Hartford Mayor Melody Currey spoke in favor of a regional sales tax, saying she would keep the state’s long-running sales-tax exemptions that currently exist for food and prescription drugs. “We’ve... 

Mayor Signs Budget – Referendum Has Begun

Mayor Currey signed the budget last night opening the door for referendum on the out of control 6.8% tax increase. Budget petitions have already started going out. Petitioners will be at Stop & Shop on Silver lane from 9am until 12PM tomorrow if you’d like to come by and sign a petition or pick up some petitions to assist in the process. With the voter registration surge the Obama campaign inspired the referendum effort requires a little over 4,000 signatures to get on the ballot up from... 

East Hartford Legislative Delegation Responds

I received a letter yesterday dated March 9th from our Reps. Larson, Genga & Rojas and Senator LeBeau in response to the letter I sent them on Feb. 25th requesting emergency legislation providing an exemption for East Hartford from Minimum Budget Requirements and binding arbitration awards. According to the letter they are working on it but can’t gt it done in time. I disagree, if they wanted to do it it would be introduced by now. Incidentally the MORE commission presentation on the first... 

The Budget Proposal Details – Here are the Republican and Democratic Plans

Here are the specific budget plans put forth at yesterday’s budget meeting. It’s interesting to note that the Democrats’ proposed (and adopted) budget is actually less than the one put forth by the Republicans. The Democrats’ proposed reductions totaled $2,285,916 for a proposed mill rate of 33.81824. The Republicans’ proposed reductions totaled $2,201,518 plus a plan to increase revenue by $50,000 by auctioning surplus town equipment for a proposed mill rate of 33.84615.... 

Some Budget Wisdom From The Speak Out Column

I am reading my Reminder, which I oddly get every week on Monday though the publication date is not until Thursday, and surprisingly there is more budget wisdom in the speak out section than at the actual budget meeting. Courage In regards to proposed tax increases, how about these ideas: a 0-percent tax increase, five furlough days required per year (starting at the top), employees to pay more for healthcare and new employees to manage their own retirement accounts. Private industry does these... 

Town Council fails in their duties again. 6.8% Tax Increase Approved. Budget Referendum Imminent.

I kind of feel like I got gang-mugged last night. Gagged, beaten and mugged, all while my attackers repeatedly insisted it wasn’t their fault and patted each other on the back for doing me a favor. It may not be their fault that the economy is upside down, but it is their fault East Hartford can’t remember what economic growth is. It is their fault that employee wages and benefits are bankrupting this town. It is their fault that the Board of Education spends more every year for a worse... 

Pre-Budget Rumblings

Word on the street has it that the Dems will be proposing around 4 million in cuts from the budget with Reps proposing an additional 1.8 million in cuts. It’s unclear if the 4 and 1.8 overlap at all and what services are involved. That translates into a tax increase around 4.5 percent or down around 2-3 percent if the Republican cuts are non-overlapping and are adopted. I have heard vacuum leaf pickup could be on the block… though I don’t know why. It’s an appreciated service,... 

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