First Selectman Tetreau said, “After review of the year-end financial results and careful consideration of the demand to keep the library open, I am pleased the Town has surplus funds available that could be used to fill the open positions and reinstate library hours, although it will take time to hire the required staff positions that have been on hold. We anticipate being able to do so and revert back to the former hours this Fall.”
The recent reduction in library hours was made because of the potential loss of state funds which the Town is still anticipating. However, the surplus could be used to supplement next year’s budget should the Board of Finance choose to carry forward the Fiscal Year 2017 surplus to Fiscal Year 2018, which would serve to mitigate some of the loss of state revenue. Last September, at the suggestion of Board of Finance Chair Tom Flynn, the Board of Finance voted to carry forward a significant portion of the Fiscal Year 2016 surplus into Fiscal Year 2017 to mitigate some of Fiscal Year 2017 loss of state funds.
Except for the Library and Recreation departments, the Town’s strategic hiring freeze remains in effect going forward. The Department of Public Works, Health, Conservation and other departments are still impacted by the hiring freeze. Targeted capital spending, including paving, is still on hold.