The Ridgefield Board of Finance has approved a $144-million budget proposal for the coming fiscal year.  The municipal budget of $38.3 million was unchanged.  It's a nearly 2.5 percent spending increase over the current year.  Money from the fund balance will help offset the spending, making for a 1.8 percent tax rate increase. 

The Board of Finance reduced the school request to $95-million.  It's still a 2.55 percent increase over this year.  6 teaching positions would be cut due to declining enrollment, but 8 other positions would be added, including two school psychologists and some special education positions.  The Board of Education will meet on the 16th to decide where to make the $1.1 million in reductions. 

The annual town meeting will be held on May 7th.  Residents will vote on capital projects under $100,000.  The larger projects in the $5.2 million capital budget will be voted on during the budget referendum on May 15th.  Some of the proposals include added parking near Governor Street and Venus Building renovations.