May 25 will mark a milestone for Barrington Town Manager Peter DeAngelis.
May 25 will be the last time Barrington residents will vote on a municipal government budget that was drafted, revised …
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May 25 will mark a milestone for Barrington Town Manager Peter DeAngelis.
May 25 will be the last time Barrington residents will vote on a municipal government budget that was drafted, revised and submitted by Mr. DeAngelis.
"Yes, this is my last budget," said Mr. DeAngelis during an interview last week.
When asked if he would miss the process of crafting a municipal budget, Mr. DeAngelis paused.
"In a strange way, I probably will," he replied.
Mr. DeAngelis said he has grown to appreciate the work involved in constructing a budget, and feels a sense of pride when he able to offer taxpayers a municipal budget that is lean, while still including the services residents have come to expect.
He was pleased with the proposed budget he drafted this year, and was a bit surprised when the committee on appropriations — the board saddled with reviewing the town's budgets — recommended a $76,000 reduction in the municipal budget.
"They wanted to get it down to a 1.25 percent increase" to taxpayers, Mr. DeAngelis said, adding that trimming out another $76,000 will be challenging. He is reportedly examining the town's utility accounts for possible savings.
This year's proposed municipal budget includes some departmental increases — most are tied to contractual obligations. The public works department budget of $3,181,572 is expected to increase to $3,206,452. The police budget of $2,565,886 will increase to $2,619, 593, and the fire department budget of $2,059, 364 is expected to increase to $2,109,949.
The proposed municipal budget, when combined with the school department's requested increase, would require a tax rate increase — from the current $18.25 (per $1,000 of assessed value) to $18.35.
FTM is next Wednesday
The annual financial town meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the Barrington High School auditorium. The public will be asked to vote on the proposed budgets; there may also be proposed amendments to the budgets.