First Selectman’s Update

First Selectman’s Update

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It seems impossible that a year has passed since the 2017-18 budget was approved, especially since the State of Connecticut continues to slash the aid expected in our current budget. Yet here we are, presenting the 2018-19 budget. Budgets always face a unique set of challenges and this year includes the following:

• $276,618 (+15%) increase estimated in employee health insurance

• $105,174 increase over the Town’s regular contribution to employee pension plan per the Board of Finance’s decision to decrease annual return assumptions from 7.25% to 6.75%

• $273,903 (+1.7%) increase in Fire and Police “catch-up” pay due to settled union contracts from multiple prior years

These items alone account for an increase of $655,695 or 4.16% over last year. Also affecting costs is the 4-2 schedule that Police and Dispatch follow per their union contracts. This provides for 4 work days, 2 off and salary commensurate with a 7-day period.

Food for Thought

Food For Thought

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“A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.”
– Douglas Adams

Suffield Observations

Orange in a Blue State

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Connecticut’s a funny state. It’s the third smallest state in the nation, but it has 169 municipalities. To contrast, our neighbor Rhode Island has 39. Complicating matters is that each one of those Connecticut cities and towns believes itself to be an entity unto itself. Even towns that share a border, like, say, Suffield and Windsor Locks, consider the other to be so different as to be another state.

Through the Looking Glass

Stuff and Things

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As more of my friends and relatives have downsized, moved, or died, I have become conscious of how much clutter I am leaving behind for my family to clean up after my death; and I’ve started making plans to reduce the number of my possessions, leaving me with a simple and tidy environment.

Food for Thought

Food For Thought

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“You can’t please people all the time. You aren’t peanut butter.” – Unknown