Budget Statements for the First Tax District of Windham

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April 5 – WINDHAM – Windham’s first tax district budget for 2022-23, which includes a slight increase in district taxes with a likely overall tax cut, was approved with ease Monday night.

The budget was approved by taxpayers by a vote of 29-0 during the annual budget meeting.

“We have worked very closely with our funding agencies to ensure they are getting what they need,” said CEO Kevin Donohue.

The budget includes funds for the Windham Center Fire Department, South Windham Fire Department, North Windham Fire Department, Windham Youth Organization, Windham Free Library and Guilford Smith Memorial Library.

The district budget was proposed at $1,087,097, an increase of $85,585, or 8.5 percent, over the current budget.

The mill set approved by the board

Windham, page 4

The district budget was proposed at $1,087,097, an increase of $85,585, or 8.5 percent, over the current budget.

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Budget Statements for the First Tax District of Windham

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Monday night is 2.3, up 0.1 million. Based on the tax district budget alone, that’s an increase of $20 for a home valued at $200,000.

Combined with the proposed municipal mill rate, which is 35.78, taxpayers living in the villages will pay 38.08 million, a total decrease of 1.33 million from the current year.

For a home valued at $200,000, that translates to a total tax cut of $266.

“It’s been a pretty challenging year, but I think one where we’ve made some progress,” said Donohue.

For one, he noted that the board had identified a large shortfall in the volunteer firefighter pension fund, which the district calls a “service price.”

The board decided to move to a new company, Hooker and Holcombe in West Hartford, to manage the pension fund.

According to the minutes of a board meeting in December, the pension fund is 40 percent fully funded.

In an effort to increase the pension fund, the board increased the budget for this item from $60,000 to $82,000.

“Obviously, this is going to be a problem that we’ve faced for years,” Donohue said.

Meanwhile, the fire brigade is experiencing inflation, so costs are rising.

During the convention, taxpayers also elected all seven members, who were standing for re-election. The term of office on the board is one year.

The re-elected members are: Donohue; Joe Pliss; Linda Brock; Charles Pennewill; Jan Mott; Michael Tellier; and John Wylie.

Two members – Peter Bruscato and Jay Handfiel – did not stand for re-election.

With two positions vacant, the board plans to hold a new election at its next meeting on May 2 at 7 p.m

Those interested in serving on the board should email Brock at [email protected].

Follow the Chronicle on Twitter @ thechroniclect.

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