Brookfield residents spoke out at a public hearing this week on the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year.  Residents will be deciding on an $18.9 million  municipal budget, $43-million for the schools, $1.3 million in capital projects and $4.1 million for debt service. 

The municipal budget is a 2.4 percent increase over the current year.  The schools are seeking a 4.9 percent increase in spending after their proposal was cut back slightly by the Boards of Selectmen and Finance.  Much of the increase is due to a rise in special education costs, coupled with a decrease in state aid. 

A town meeting on the Brookfield budget will be held May 1st.   The referendum could then be set for May 15th.