REVIEWS ARE MIXED AT PUBLIC HEARING ON AVON’S BUDGET

Residents gave the proposed budget mixed reviews at a hearing Tuesday, with opponents targeting education spending.

Parents and members of Avon Citizens for Education said they support the proposed budget, and the chairwoman said she would have liked even more money proposed for education. But several members of the Avon Taxpayers Association reiterated calls for no increase in spending.

Several budget opponents also blasted the teachers’ union and the terms of the teachers’ contract, including the amount teachers contribute to their health insurance costs and the caps on class sizes.

“Whatever control they have, it’s too much,” said Jim Diamantopulos, a member of the taxpayers’ group.

Increases in teachers’ salaries account for about $500,000 of the proposed $955,529 spending increase, said Martin Toyen, chairman of the school board’s budget committee.

But he and School Superintendent Philip Streifer said the union has been cooperative and flexible. Toyen also said the school system would probably lose if it went to binding arbitration over a contract because the town is considered wealthy and able to pay.

Tina Cotter told elected officials that she and other budget supporters are taxpayers, but that it is the moral responsibility of all residents to provide quality education.

About 100 residents attended Tuesday’s hearing in the high school auditorium. The hearing lasted just over 2 1/2 hours.

Overall, proposed town and school spending totals $35.9 million, an increase of 5.1 percent over current spending. That includes a proposed school budget of $20.5 million, an increase of 4.9 percent.

Board of finance Chairman Arthur “Bud” Herrmann told residents at the start of the hearing that there will be changes to the proposal before a final plan goes before voters at the May 20 annual town meeting.

Several residents expressed support for proposed improvements to the Sycamore Hills recreation area and the town library.

A few residents asked about proposed road projects, but no one commented on proposals to buy vehicles and equipment for the police and fire departments.