New Milford Mayor Pete Bass is proposing a budget for the coming fiscal year which would increase taxes by 1.7 percent.  The $109.6 million proposal is a 4.28 percent increase in spending over the current year.  It breaks down to $41.8 million on the municipal side and $67.8 million for the schools.  Bass says budgets were flat for two years, but rising utility, health insurance and other costs have led to this proposal. 

One of the biggest increases will go toward  New Milford Community Ambulance moving to a fully-paid staff, and the town taking over debt from the ambulance building, which the organization previously paid for.  New Milford Library part-time staff salaries are increasing due to the hike in the state minimum wage. 

New Milford's grand list grew by about $80 million last year and will experience savings by joining a new regional health district.