KENT, Conn.—When the Board of Finance takes its $16.9 million proposed budget to a public hearing Friday, May 15, it will probably receive pressure to increase some line items.
In attempting to reduce the proposed increase from 5.8 percent to its final level of 3.44 percent, the finance board instructed the Board of Education to cut $30,000 from its bottom line, left untouched a $10,000 reduction in the salary for the cemetery sexton, and pushed funding for some capital plan projects out into the sixth year where they are not yet taxed.
Townspeople are taxed only on projects that fall within the five-year window and not on “wish list” items that fall within the second five years. Among the larger-ticket items in the capital plan is restoration and rehabilitation of Swift House, one of the oldest structures in the village center. Finance members pushed its funding back into the sixth year because, as member Casey Cogut observed, “We don’t know what it will be used for until the Swift House Investigative Subcommittee makes its report.”
This week, the selectmen received that report. Primary among its recommendations is creating a 501(c)3 to do fundraising for the very considerable cost of Swift House’s renovation. And central to that effort is getting National Register of Historic Places recognition for the building.
The subcommittee strongly recommended that funds be returned to the budget to cover the cost of applying for federal recognition for the building. Historical Society Director Christine Adams said it would be difficult to obtain grants without the designation. “We need to hire a consultant to help get it through,” she said.
James Anderson, chairman of the subcommittee, said having money designated in the sixth year would discourage town residents who might form a Friends of Swift House fundraising organization. Further, he said, it might undermine the town’s efforts to get grants.
“We need to be eyes wide open on this,” he said. “I didn’t see any grant organization that didn’t require matching funds. If the town does not have any money in its budget for Swift House, that is a signal to fundraisers. If the figure is a zero, it will be a viewed as a signal as to what effort the town is willing to make. Grant-making organizations will see through that. I view what is voted on as the will of the people. If we want grants, we have to show that the town will spend its resources.”
Selectman Lynn Mellis Worthington urged members of the subcommittee to make a strong statement to the Board of Finance at the May 15 hearing if funding is to be restored.
As for the sexton’s position, the Board of Finance left in place a reduction in salary made by the selectmen against the desire of the Cemetery Committee. The original $28,000 salary was established more than two years ago when the town took over care of cemeteries from the former Kent Cemetery Association.
There was no concrete data about the amount of time needed for the position and the sum was put in the committee’s budget as a placeholder while more accurate information could be ascertained.
Accounting for hours has not been precise in the two years since, however. An estimated 29 hours a month has been reported and the Selectmen opted to make the position hourly, rather than salaried, capping the salary line at $18,000.
The current sexton has been very efficient and has improved operation of the cemeteries, according to the committee members, who advocated restoring the funding cut by the selectmen. When the committee met following the Board of Finance’s final approval of the budget, Chairman Lorri Schiesel told her members that the last resort is to appear at the hearing and make their argument for restoration in person.
The public hearing will be held at the town hall, 41 Kent Green Blvd., on Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m.
I strongly support the funding necessary to preserve the Swift House.
It’s a Kent treasure which should not be allowed to decay.
Jim Blackketter