Town Budget Vote Coming up: May 16, 2023

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES 
May 15: Town Meeting, 7 pm in the Town Hall Annex Council Chambers: gathered residents will vote to approve the budget and send it to referendum
May 16: Referendum  ️VOTE️ on the budget, at Town Hall Annex, 6 am - 8 pm 

Ledyard's proposed budget for the next fiscal year is available for viewing on the Town website at: ledyardct.org/proposed-annual-budget. It is also available in the Town Clerks’ Office at Town Hall. 

For questions or comments, you may send your input, ideas, questions, and thoughts to: BOE@ledyard.net, mayor@ledyardct.org, council@ledyardct.org, and towncouncil@ledyardct.org.

The Ledyard Democratic Town Committee thanks all who worked on this year’s town budget and encourages all residents to vote in favor of it on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023! 

Eligible residents may also vote by absentee ballot and are encouraged to contact the Town Clerk at 860-464-3229 for information about obtaining an absentee ballot. 

• Creating this budget is a difficult and lengthy process due to competing demands and limited resources. 
• We are grateful for the efforts of the School District and Town employees in drafting a responsible budget. 
• We appreciate the BOE members and Town Councilors who carefully reviewed and explained it. 
• We are especially thankful to Senator Cathy Osten and State Representative Kevin Ryan, whose support of state budgets ensures that we can continue to receive essential services and plan for future improvements. 

For years, Ledyard has failed to aggressively broaden its tax base. This year, 95% of our revenue is solely from residential property tax, with no relief in sight. 

️Our taxes continue to go up while much-needed improvements in education and infrastructure are left below the cut-off line and dependent almost entirely upon state aid. 

️We are paying more, while dreams of a better vision for Ledyard are often left until the next budget cycle. 

It is a cycle that punishes current homeowners and disincentivizes people from moving here. 
️We must find ways to broaden our revenue streams and attract new residents if we are to grow and thrive as a community.

️Despite the proposed budget’s shortcomings, *it will be cut even more if the vote fails*. For the moment, the bump in taxes to ensure we receive critical services is worth it. 

️Moving forward, we must rethink our revenue to build a more attractive, affordable Ledyard.

Did you miss the Ledyard Budget Hearing? 
Watch the meeting video at this link!
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Find Ledyard Budget Hearing meeting minutes here 
​(scroll down to Town Council-April 17)

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Images from the Budget and the Budget Hearing Presentations: