A hearing was held on Monday, April 12, to allow for public comment on the proposed FY 2022 budget, and it was short and sweet, reflecting the view of town officials of the spending package itself. “This is lean and efficient budget,” said Bristol Town Council Chairman Nathan Calouro, giving credit to the town administrator, treasurer, and department heads.

Though one resident thanked the council for the opportunity to comment, nobody else came forward to say anything, perhaps a reflection of the fact that the extensive budget negotiations leading up to this public hearing were open and transparent to interested parties, and the decision had already been made to fully fund the Bristol Warren Regional School District request.

“Besides modest salary and benefits increases,” there are very few changes, according to Town Administrator Steven Contente. “Our goal was to provide as good or better services with as low a tax increase as possible.

“This budget is focused on long-term investment and maintenance. Our bond rating and reserve fund are healthy, and we have money in our capital account.”

According to Treasurer Julie Goucher, the provisional budget will increase 2.82 percent over the prior year. The tax roll is not certified yet, but is mostly complete, so the expectation is that the new tax rate will be $14.44 per $1,000 in value, up from $14.07 last year (a 2.6 percent increase).

An increase in the sewer use fee of $39 annually, to cover the cost of significant infrastructure improvements at the sewer department, will take that rate from $530 to $539 per sewer use permit, which is one per dwelling unit, regardless of the value of the property.

The major drivers of this increase are accounted for by the town fully funding the school district’s 3 percent increase request at $396,177. A new position has been added to the DPW, to haul trash from the transfer station to Johnston, a job that was previously hired out. “Up until now we’ve outsource that, but now we’ll save money in the long run and have better control over the operation,” said Mr. Contente.

Federal money coming soon

Once thing the budget does not account for is the series of expected federal financial windfalls coming very soon.

Speaking during a tour of the new Veterans Council headquarters last Friday, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed briefly addressed that.

“Bristol will get $2 million directly, and at least that much with the county allocations,” he said, of the numbers, rules, and guidance that are set to be announced by the federal government on May 9. “I think they are going to be very flexible.”

The schools, likewise, will be getting their own influx of funds, of which 90 percent will be allocated on a Title 1 basis — and there’s more to come. “The next big item is the infrastructure package, and that’s going to be significant for the town and state,” said Sen. Reed. “It will cover all kinds of infrastructure, from traditional to broadband to job training … as well as highways, sewer lines, coastal resiliency and clean energy.”

In all, the town would appear to be on very solid financial ground. “In spite of the pandemic, we are confident this budget will allow us to maintain the level of service we’re used to and keeps us on pace with improvements around town,” said Mr. Contente. “We’re going to come out in a good place financially.”