ENFIELD — The Town Council on Monday voted along party lines to adopt a flat-funded budget of $154.2 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year, a spending plan that created controversy as it slashes school district personnel and programs and affects town departments across the board.

The $154,226,443 budget, reduced from Town Manager Christopher Bromson's proposed $161,763,604, maintains the same tax rate for real estate and personal property at 30.56 mills. Motor vehicle taxes will remain at 29.21 mills. One mill equals $1 for each $1,000 in assessed property value. 

The town's side of the budget is $76,796,888, reduced from Bromson's proposed $79,244,522. The Board of Education will receive $77,429,555, reduced from the $82,519,082 proposed by former Superintendent Christopher Drezek. The school budget for next year includes an increase of $1.5 million, nearly 2 percent, to cover contractual obligations for school personnel.

The town will also be appropriating $3.9 million to the schools to cover a shortfall in this year's budget, caused in large part by an increase of 78 new special education students entering the district in the fall after the 2023-24 budget had been approved and a new state requirement that districts pay for transitional learning for special needs students through their 22nd year.

However, the reduced school budget means 121 staff members' jobs will be eliminated. Board of Education Chairwoman Charlotte Riley and minority leader Tina LeBlanc, who made a presentation to the council at the beginning of Monday's meeting, said the 2 percent increase will not cover paraprofessionals, nurses, cafeteria workers, or the special education budget increase of $3.6 million.

Before voting to adopt the reduced budget, members of the Republican majority said there will certainly be belt-tightening in the coming year but an increase in taxes would have hurt many residents.

"Making cuts was the toughest part of sitting up here, but people asked when I was campaigning to keep taxes down," said first-term council member Jim Nasuta. 

"Everyone I speak to says a tax increase would hurt them," said Deputy Mayor Marie Pyznar. "We all look at our personal budgets and ask what we can do without; we took a look at this budget and asked the same questions."

The four Democratic Town Council members who voted against the budget joined teachers, students, and residents in expressing dismay over cuts to the schools, town departments, and capital improvement projects. Town Council member Gina Cekala read a list of her two children's activities so far in Enfield public schools, which include sports, chess club, culinary classes, photography, drawing, writing, advanced placement classes, and interior design.

"That's just 29 programs, classes, and activities for my two children," she said. "Can you imagine the district-wide impact?" 

The Board of Education asked for an 8.68 percent increase for next year's budget, Cekala said. "Why would the Town Council think we can make a better decision than the Board of Education?"

The Democratic caucus is very clear, she said. "We support the budget they asked for," she said. "This is the opposite of fiscally responsible; it's irresponsible."

Town Council member John Santanella spoke about cuts to the schools and town departments. "It has been difficult to hear from residents and explain how we got here," he said. "You can't say you care about kids and police but then cut their budgets."

"The police budget is as upsetting as the schools," Santanella continued, referring to police requests for 10 new vehicles, veterinary services for K-9 units, and training programs being cut. "Is this budget making the town safer? Ask a police officer."

Resident Paul Fitzsimmons said cuts to the school budget are shortsighted and, ultimately, will harm students. "Education is not the place you balance the books," he said. "Lose the titles of Democrat and Republican and get into a room to do the work you're supposed to do."

Chris Lange said she's an older resident who doesn't have children in the school system but still supports the Board of Education's budget request.

"I'm a senior taxpayer and I'm proud to take care of our kids," she said. "What will the increases in taxes cost me — a couple of cups of coffee each week?"

If the Republicans "want to take care of seniors, get creative with programs but don't hurt our kids," Lange said.