White River Junction
The plan would raise property taxes by about 1.9 percent if approved by the Selectboard and then by voters at Town Meeting.
As part of his budget plan, Pullar is proposing to cover about $2.3 million in additional spending — including key projects such as repairs to the Wendall A. Barwood Arena’s floor, boards, seating and dehumidification system; a new culvert on Quechee Main Street; and $300,000 for new firefighters’ salaries — through other sources, such as Hartford’s local option tax and $865,000 in surplus funds.
“The staff request has been remarkably consistent with what the true needs of the town are,” Pullar said. “They’re taking a hard look at, ‘What does it take to provide the same services to the town?’ ”
All told, the proposed budget includes three new firefighter positions, a new six-wheel plow truck and a tax map update project.
Pullar said the need for additional firefighters stems from growth in the town, augmented recently with numerous residential development projects, including The Village at White River Junction assisted living and memory care facility and the Bridge and Main affordable housing project.
While members of the Selectboard had recommended increasing the budget by no more than 3 percent, they appeared pleased with Pullar’s presentation on Tuesday night, according to a CATV video.
“Motion passed,” Selectboard Vice Chairman Dick Grassi joked during Pullar’s presentation, which assumes 2 percent growth in the grand list, akin to growth this year, according to Pullar, who now is slated to leave his job in Hartford on Feb. 1. He had planned to retire at the end of this month because of health concerns but has agreed to postpone his departure date at the request of the Selectboard.
The proposed budget asks for $13.7 million to be raised by taxes, including a municipal property tax rate increase of 1.8 cents, raising the number to 99 cents per $100 of assessed value. That would total $2,475 of municipal taxes on a $250,000 home, an increase of $45 over fiscal year 2019.
The first of nine scheduled budget workshops takes place next Tuesday between the Selectboard and several municipal departments, including fire.
“The fire chief (Scott Cooney) has a good discussion to have with you about this,” Pullar said. Later in the meeting, he highlighted some of Hartford’s recent growth, arguing, “We’ve got to be ready to react. Right now, there are times (when emergency services are) responding to calls where our fire department is unstaffed. You have to decide if that’s an acceptable level of service.”
Funding also was budgeted for an emergency communications specialist to help handle the wide range of calls that the town’s 911 dispatch receives, as well as $5,000 to explore the feasibility of adding a community wellness coordinator to help connect residents with resources and services in town.
Selectman Alan Johnson, who also sits on the Hartford Community Coalition and recently learned of a similar role in Plainfield, was intrigued by the idea.
“They have a community resource director who is paid hourly, and it has worked out really well,” he said. “This is a concept we need to investigate.”
Pullar’s budget proposal also includes funding for training and planning initiatives recommended by the Hartford Committee on Racial Equity and Inequality, roof repairs to the Bugbee Senior Center and cemetery maintenance.
One area where Pullar didn’t have much to offer, despite it being a Selectboard priority, was in the area of incentivizing reduction of carbon impact. While there are certain steps in the budget that will result in modest carbon emission reductions — such as converting to an electrically powered Zamboni ice surfacer, lawn mower and other tools — there aren’t specific incentives worked into the budget.
“We don’t tax carbon impact or fuel, so I struggle with that,” Pullar said. “(Carbon reduction) is a good thing to consider, but I’m not sure on the municipal level how we take those steps until we see things like tax breaks for alternative energy at the state level.”
Budget workshops begin at 6 p.m on Tuesday at Town Hall with the fire, police and communications departments and continues on Nov. 29 with five departments, including public works and parks and recreation.
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com