May 1, 2025 Branford, North Branford & Northford Vol. XXIX Iss.18
.com
$65M North Branford Budget: 5.1% Annual Increase; Reduced Mill Rate By Pam Johnson Senior Staff Writer
On April 22, North Branford’s Town Council completed its budget review process with a unanimous vote to recommend a $65,044,838 budget for fiscal year 2025-’26, an annual increase of 5.1%. The proposed budget carries a reduced mill rate of 27.84, down 8.9 mills from the current rate of 35.93. The budget was reviewed with an eye on
the impacts of property value increases brought by the October 2024 state-mandated independent revaluation process. In a press release issued April 25, Town Manager Michael Downes noted the revaluation “...saw residential property increase in value at a far greater percentage than commercial, something that is happening state-wide with other municipalities, which shifts the tax burden more onto residential taxpayers.”
Assuming a 98.6% collection rate, budget revenues of $51,357,794 would be raised by taxation in the 2025-’26 fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2025. As part of the budget amendment process on April 22, by a party line vote of 6-3, the Republican-led council approved an annual increase of $200,000 for the requested Board See $65M North Branford page 13
Fore the Love of Books Visitors enjoy the Gail and Alan Rosen Memorial Mini Golf at the Blackstone Library on April 26. The two-day event, held April 26 and 27, transformed the library into an 18-hole indoor course spanning all three floors, with the final hole featuring a ball traveling down the spiral staircase.
Photo by Wesley Bunnell/ The Sound
Donations from our readers help ensure we can provide our product FREE of charge each week. We are grateful for your generosity.
DONATE NOW AT ZIP06.COM/VOLUNTARYPAY
Nurse Carol Cornachini is ready for National School Nurse’s Day........................2
Making a Mark The Branford boys’ outdoor track team set several personal records last week, but softball lost two games........................14
Exploring Loneliness and Connection TheatreWorks’ Primary Trust runs through May 11..............................25