There is a public hearing in Bethel tonight about the municipal and education budget proposals.  Combined, it's about $70.9 million.  There will also be a question on the budget ballot about 14 capital items totalling just shy of $2 million.  The budget process is starting about a month earlier this year because of Charter changes. 

There's also a new state statute in place that says if a public notification system is used to contact people about a referendum date, all taxpayers, not just a subset, must be notified.  The Board of Ed recently sent out notice to those who subscribe to their system about a change in venue and a date reminder for the hearing.  Bethel Action Committee Chairman Cynthia McCorkindale says while it's not technically a violation, it is going down a slippery slope.

There are some signs up around town with the information, it's on the town's website and also the Bethel Town Clerk official Facebook page. 

The town and school spending is voted on separately.  The proposed municipal budget is $27.6 million.  The proposed education spending is $43.28 million.

Tonight's public hearing is at 7:30 at Bethel Middle School.

The capital items are as follows:

$50,000 for the 2017 revaluation work

$30,000 for a new air compressor for the Bethel Fire Department

$52,000 in structural repairs to the Highway Garage

$285,000 for an emergency generator for Bethel High School

$35,000 for a Building Department vehicle replacement

$20,000 for a fuel maintenance system

$118,000 for a backhoe/loader replacement

$170,000 for a Highway Department vehicle replacement

$15,000 for two funnel plows

$12,000 for a trailer for the Parks and Recreation Department

$18,000 for a top dresser for the Parks and Recreation Department

$30,000 for construction of Rubino Property Fields

$50,000 toward the 2017 Plan of Conservation and Development

$1 million in road reconstruction