Democratic Town Committee Supports New London Budget

The Democratic Town Committee voted "overwhelmingly" to support the on Tuesday, according to a statement by the mayor's office and DTC chairman.

"The Democratic Party in New London recognizes the difficult work that the Democratic administration and City Council did to lessen the impact of our fiscal needs on city taxpayers," said DTC chairman Bill Satti. "The Democratic Party stands firmly behind this budget."

On June 19, the City Council voted 5-2 in favor of the $42,323,256 municipal budget, which went into effect on July 1. The budget represents a 7.5 percent increase in the mill rate, or tax per $1,000 of assessed value, from 25.31 to 27.22.

The vote overturned a but restored funds to administrative positions which the council previously decided to defund in order to . Democratic councilors Marie Friess-McSparran and John Maynard opposed the final budget. The council's lone Republican, Adam Sprecace, supported it.

A successfully challenged the municipal budget and tax rate, and voters will decide whether to uphold these decisions in a . The $40,626,405 budget for the was not affected by this petition, and last week the Board of Education within this appropriation in a 5-2 vote.

Mayor Daryl Finizio, who has scheduled a number of to discuss the budget, said he was pleased with the committee's decision.

"In this difficult budget year the fact that our diverse Democratic Town Committee voted nearly unanimously to support the city budget is a very telling sign that a community consensus is developing behind supporting this budget and moving our city forward," said Finizio.

The Republican Town Committee has requested that the city available on the municipal website, but has not yet taken a position on the referendum. The RTC will meet at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11.

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