Library, Youth and Family Services, Focus of Hearing

Most of the residents who made their voices heard during a public hearing on the proposed budget Monday essentially told officials they don’t mind investing a little more for services they deem worthy.

For most who spoke, that means they want to see more money put into the accounts of youth and family services and the municipal library.

About 50 people attended a public hearing on the proposed 2013-14 budget in front of the joint boards of mayor and burgesses and finance Monday at City Hill Middle School. About 20 people spoke and most focused on how stagnant budgets, or budget cuts, would adversely impact services that many people utilize in the community.

Naugatuck officials explained that part of the reason for such a large increase in the tax rate is because state-mandated revaluation last year saw most property values decrease significantly. And they noted that the state is giving Naugatuck about $1 million less this year than it did in the 2012-13 Fiscal Year budget. 

Dr. Geoffrey M. Drawbridge, who serves on the board for Naugatuck Youth and Family Services, said cuts to that department's budget will have a negative effect on the types of services the organization provides.

“NYFS has been responsive to the community with crisis intervention, family therapy, group therapy, community outreach, and plays an essential role on the Juvenile Review Board,” he said. “That is the past. The future is that our proposed 2013-14 budget will not provide for the minimal functioning of a Youth Services Agency.”

He said the proposed budget would make the acting director the only full-time employee supported by a part-time secretary.

“This will not sustain the integrity of the agency,” he said.

Others spoke about how mental health services are a necessary investment, especially while Connecticut grapples with how to treat those with mental illness and addiction.

Supporters of the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library say stagnant funding over several years from the borough has not enabled the organization to move forward with purchasing new computers, new books or hold as many programs as they would like. 

They say community usage of the library is up as many people use it in different ways than they had in the past. For example, people utilizing computers and look for recreational and educational activities for their children, plus programs for adults, such as computer literacy and resume writing or job interviewing skills. They also say the library serves as an extension of the educational system and is something that helps bring the community together.

Some also spoke about how they believe Naugatuck should implement a sewer usage tax so that those who are able to utilize the sewer system can pay their fair share. Currently, Naugatuck has a contract with Veolia Water North America, which runs the borough’s wastewater treatment plant. A portion of people’s taxes goes toward paying that contract, which some have said for years is not fair as not everybody is afforded the opportunity to tie into the sewer system.

And senior Bruce Meyer, who uses a wheelchair, said he’d like to see the Naugatuck Senior Center have handicapped accessible doors that open automatically and wide enough for people who use wheelchairs. Also, the bathrooms at the facility are not handicapped accessible. Borough officials say some people with wheelchairs use the facility, but noted that a lack of money has caused them to put off repairs to the facility. Borough officials argue that there is a revenue component of the current plan that makes it worthwhile for Naugatuck.  

Despite the fact that the proposed educational budget makes up more than half of the proposed $111 million budget, nobody spoke about educational issues. And although the mill rate is up – it would go to 45.26 if the budget is approved – nobody directly said their taxes are too high or complained about high spending.

Naugatuck officials will discuss the comments and possibly make changes based upon them during a meeting Thursday night. They will set the budget and mill rate Thursday. Residents then have two weeks, per Charter, to petition to send the budget to referendum. If that doesn’t happen, the budget goes into effect as proposed.