top of page

The Public Purse: News from Canton’s Board of Finance

Editor's Note: Please note that the Board of Finance Budget Public Hearing has been rescheduled and will now take place April 25.


By Katie Kenney

Board of Finance Chair


The Canton Board of Finance works to balance maintaining town services, a strong school system, upkeep of our nearly $120 million investment in the town’s infrastructure, and the town’s AAA bond rating, against the impact of paying for all of these on the taxes imposed on residents and businesses. 


This year, two unusual circumstances made it especially challenging to balance town services with reducing the burden on Canton taxpayers.


First, the town faces some unavoidable capital expenses, including modular classrooms for Cherry Brook School (needed before an unusually large kindergarten class enters in the fall of 2025) and environmental cleanup of PFAS contamination.  In the initial administrative budget presented to the Board of Selectmen, these two items contributed to a 93% increase in the capital improvement budget that would have led to an increase of over 14% in costs for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.


Just as most people buying a house will take out a mortgage rather than pay the full amount with cash, it makes sense for some town infrastructure expenditures to be done through bonding. The Boards of Selectmen, Finance, and Education are working closely to develop a bonding proposal that would include modular classrooms for Cherry Brook School, resurfacing of the town’s tennis and basketball courts at Mills Pond Park, major repairs to Canton Intermediate School, and some road repavement. Residents would vote on the bond package in the November election.  With these items taken out of the operating budget, the increase in expenditure in the capital improvement budget was brought down to only 2.88%. 


Second, as Board of Finance member Sarah Faulkner explained in the first Public Purse column a few weeks ago, the town carried out its revaluation of all taxable property last year, as required under state law.  Due to dramatic and uneven increases in property values driven by the housing shortage and other market factors, the tax burden in Canton shifted toward residential properties.  Residential real estate increased by 47%, compared to 21% and 5.58% for commercial and personal property, respectively, while motor vehicles decreased in value 5.55%. Overall, the revaluation would result in a lowered mil rate, but residential taxes would increase dramatically due to this shift in valuation. Even if it were possible for the town and schools to operate with no increase in expenditures, the tax increase on the median house due to revaluation alone would be $562.


In the past, the Town has implemented the entire change in home assessments in the budget year after the revaluation took place.  This year, because the revaluation would represent such an enormous increase, leading to considerable hardship for many residents, the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen recommend making use of a state statute that allows towns to phase in their revaluations.  Both Boards settled on a four-year phase-in period. For a resident owning a house of the median assessed value, phasing in revaluation would result in a tax savings in the 2024-25 year of $350, and cumulative savings over the four years of the phase-in of $646.


Canton residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether to adopt the revaluation phase-in plan at a Town Meeting on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Canton Community Center.  If you’re reading this article online before that time, we encourage you to participate in that meeting.


In addition to these somewhat unusual circumstances, the Boards of Selectmen, Finance, and Education have spent the past few months carrying out our annual task of reviewing and revising the annual operating budgets for the town’s departments and schools. 


The proposed Board of Selectmen operating budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 is $12,504,271, which represents a 5.92% increase over last year.  The major drivers of the increase for the town are Fire and Emergency Services, Wages & Benefits, and Public Works/General Highway (due to a proposed new hire).  In addition, the town plans to increase the size of the police force by one officer who would start halfway through this fiscal year. The full cost of this additional officer would not be felt until the 2025-26 budget.


The proposed Board of Education operating budget is $33,447,742, which represents a 5.36% increase over last year.  The major drivers of the increase for the schools are Special Education, Health & Benefits, and Contractual Salaries. 


This year, the Board of Finance has worked hard to encourage public participation in the budget process by making the calendar of all budget-relating meetings widely available through the Valley Press, the Town Website, and Town email blasts and by encouraging residents to attend and make their views known. 


At the Budget Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. in the Canton Community Center, residents will have their final opportunity to speak directly to the Board of Finance about this year’s budget before the final numbers are set that will go to the Budget Referendum on May 7.  Please attend and share your interests and concerns.

VAL_01.jpg
WHL_01.jpg

Valley Happenings

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Saturday, February 22, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, Avon

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or in advance at AVFD Headquarters, 25 Darling Drive, Avon (Mondays, 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays-Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community.

If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

Have a press release or story idea? Send me a note.

Thanks for submitting!

© 2023 by Train of Thoughts. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page