April 10, 2025 Branford, North Branford & Northford Vol. XXIX Iss. 15
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Budget Heads to RTM with 2.1% Tax Hike, Reduced Mill Rate By Pam Johnson Sound Senior Staff Writer
By unanimous vote of Branford’s Board of Finance (BOF), a recommended 2025-’26 town budget of $141,698,673, representing a 2.1% tax increase and a reduced mill rate of 21.46, heads to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for the final step in the annual budget review and adoption process. The BOF-recommended 21.46 mill rate is
a reduction of 29.49% from Branford’s current 30.48 mill rate. By making several decisions, including applying a 67.6% annual increase in monies from the town’s general fund, the BOF-recommended budget helps address property tax increases created by the state-mandated October 2024 revaluations. According to budget hand-outs at the March 31 BOF meeting, based on October 2024 revaluations, Branford’s adjusted 2025-
’26 net Grand List of $5,651,124,978 reflects an increase of 44.9% over the 2024-’25 net Grand List of $3,900,697,512. The BOF-recommended budget incorporates $6,446,000 in revenue from the town’s general fund, an increase of $2,600,000 or 67.6% over general fund monies applied to the 2024-2025 town budget. See Branford Budget page 12
Way to ‘Bee’ Alex Grozev, left, the winner of the third-grade division of the Branford Parks and Recreation's annual Jeannette L. Palluzzi Memorial Spelling Bee, is congratulated by his father, Tenyo, after his division's event. The contest was judged by Diane Kaczinski and Kathy Nelson and held at the Joseph Trapasso Community House.
Photo by Wesley Bunnell/ The Sound
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Maureen Carr’s talents shine in life and on stage......2
Second in the State The Hand co-op boys’ swim team, which includes athletes from Branford, placed second at the Class L State Finals this winter........14
Bread at Home Bread is the quintessential human food...............................25