March 12, 2026
.com
Clinton, Westbrook, & Old Saybrook Vol. XXIX Iss. 11
Old Saybrook Unveils $55.4M Budget Proposal at Hearing By Eric O'Connell Staff Writer
Old Saybrook residents received an update on the proposed budget and asked few questions at a March 3 public hearing. The Board of Finance (BOF) will now deliberate and potentially make changes to the budget proposal before sending it to referendum in May. An initial total proposed budget of
$55,396,833 for 2026-27 calls for an increase of $2,553,418 over the previous year’s spending, a 4.83% increase. The total budget comprises a town budget and an education budget. The proposed town budget is $22,623,966, an increase of $627,986, or 2.9%. The proposed education budget is $32,772,867, an increase of $1,925,490, or 6.24%. The town’s mill rate is currently 15.50.
Under the proposed budget, First Selectman Carl Fortuna estimated the mill rate would increase to roughly 15.80. Old Saybrook Finance Director Lee Ann Palladino told the Harbor News last month that the town budget increase is mainly due to salary and benefit increases. Palladino also said the debt service budget See Old Saybrook page 15
Matthew Elias is bringing confidence to the mat for Morgan.........2
Chicago Takes Stage
Crown Claimed Morgan girls hoops has brought Shelby Pauloski portrays Velma the Shoreline Conference title Kelly during “And All That Jazz,” to Clinton.....................................16 the opening number of Act 1, as the Old Saybrook High School Drama Club performs Chicago at Old Saybrook High School on March 8. The production also ran March 5 and 6. See more photos from Chicago at Zip06.com.
Photo by Wesley Bunnell/ Harbor News
Postcards from Afar The Florida Keys, Unlocked..........24
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