Newtown Legislative Council OKs $141.6M budget amid school funding debate; vote heads to April 22 referendum.
Patch Staff
NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Legislative Council on April 2 approved a $141.6 million municipal and education budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, sending it to referendum despite passionate appeals from residents urging full restoration of proposed school funding.
The Council voted 7-5 in favor of the budget, which includes $91.7 million for the Board of Education (BOE) and $49.9 million for municipal operations. The BOE budget, previously reduced by $900,000 by the Board of Finance, remained unchanged despite efforts from some council members to restore a portion of the cuts.
A motion to reinstate $300,000 for K-6 Spanish instruction failed, falling short of the supermajority required for budget amendments. Several other proposed reductions also failed to gain majority support.
Public comments dominated the early portion of the meeting, with residents expressing overwhelming support for the school budget. Concerns focused on potential program cuts, staff reductions, and the loss of school security personnel. Parents and educators described the reductions as a threat to educational quality and student safety.
Resident Caitlin Ormond, speaking on behalf of the Head O’ Meadow PTA, asked the council to “refrain from further cuts and consider restoring the original budget request.” Others echoed the sentiment, warning of long-term impacts on the community and property values.
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Council members debated the financial challenges facing the town, including a growing reliance on residential property taxes, the burden on seniors, and increased demand at the local food pantry. Council member Derek Pisani cited a decline in student enrollment and rising per-pupil costs as justification for restraint.
Ultimately, the Council approved the BOF-recommended school budget of $91,744,644 without additional changes. The municipal budget was amended slightly to reallocate $26,812, restoring funds for suicide prevention, economic development, and departmental needs while offsetting the increase with reductions in website upgrades, open space management, and recreational facilities.
Councilors also authorized a town-wide budget referendum for April 22, with voting scheduled between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Absentee ballots will be available in-person at the registrar’s office.
In addition to budget matters, the council unanimously passed several capital improvement resolutions, including $450,000 for repairs to Fairfield Hills buildings, $350,000 for irrigation infrastructure, and $310,000 for a new boiler at the Public Works Department. Two resolutions also rescinded unneeded appropriations from prior projects, including $450,000 originally designated for HVAC planning at Newtown Middle School.
Superintendent Anne Uberti, who attended the meeting, thanked the Council and vowed to avoid a second referendum. Board of Finance member Barney Molloy cautioned that the town faces a multi-year process to rebalance its financial structure.
Council Chair Keith Alexander reminded voters that if the budget fails at referendum, the process would begin again.
The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m. after nearly two and a half hours of discussion.