01/22/2019
Dear Canton Residents,
It’s Budget Season in Town!
All of the town departments have been actively working on the 2019-2020 town budget. The process of building the zero-based budget actually began in 2018 as each line item was examined and a projection built for the upcoming budget year. In December, the departmental budget requests were submitted to the Chief Administrative Officer who reviews each line item and consults with the department heads to search for possible efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities. The CAO then consolidates the budget and presents it to the Board of Selectman in a series of three meetings in February. These presentations are the first opportunity for the public to attend the meetings listed below and learn about the needs of the town for the 2019-2020 budget year. The CAO’s budget is then debated, revised and finally a Board of Selectman’s budget is approved. This budget and the Board of Education budgets are presented to the Board of Finance in March and a town-wide public hearing on the combined budgets will be held on Monday, March 25th. I encourage everyone to attend this meeting where the entire budget will be presented. All of the meetings have an opportunity for public comment but this is the best time to give your input before the budget is finalized.
Based on feedback from the public, the BOF will make its final revisions and the 2019-2020 Annual Budget will then be presented to the Annual Budget Meeting for a vote. This meeting will be held on Monday, May 13th at 7:00 at Canton High School. If 150 qualified voters do not attend the meeting, a town-wide referendum will be scheduled. As we continue to bear the impact of the state’s budget challenges, the Boards of Selectman, Education, and Finance will be working with town staff to manage the impact to local taxpayers, while providing the critical services that make Canton a special place to live, work, and raise a family.
ALL MEETINGS AT THE CANTON COMMUNITY CENTER IN ROOM F, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
February 11, 12 and 13, 6:00 pm: Department budgets presented to Board of Selectmen
February 13, 7:00 pm, Board of Selectmen meeting (further budget discussion)
February 27, 7:00 pm: Board of Selectmen meeting (further budget discussion/adoption)
March 18, 6:00 pm: Board of Selectmen budget presentation to the Board of Finance
**MONDAY, MARCH 25, 7:00 PM: PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET**
**MONDAY, MAY 13, 7:00 pm: ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING AT CANTON HIGH SCHOOL**
Best Regards,
Beth Kandrysawtz
First Selectman