After voters rejected Thomaston’s proposed budget at referendum, the Board of Finance reconvened to revise the spending plan. The new proposal trims $180,825 from the original version, bringing the total to $31,288,763 with a mill rate of 35.97.

To reach this figure, the board targeted several areas for cuts. Wage increases for the First Selectman and Tax Collector were reduced by $14,250 and $10,075, respectively. The board also eliminated a $16,500 intern position for Housing, Land Use & Development and trimmed $25,000 from the Board of Education. Capital investments saw the largest reduction — $95,000 — including $50,000 originally intended for sidewalk repairs and $45,000 for Fire Department floor improvements.

Next, attention turns to the Board of Education, which will hold a special meeting this Wednesday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the Thomaston High School Auditorium. The agenda includes a discussion of the $25,000 cut to the education budget — one of the adjustments approved by the Board of Finance — and potential action on how to address it. Residents interested in the impact on schools are encouraged to attend or watch the livestream on the Board of Education’s YouTube channel.

The budget referendum, reflective of the these changes, will take place on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.