Op Ed: Latest meeting still full of taxpayer disrespect

Because the proposed budget was rejected a second time at referendum on May 19^th, the Guilford Board of Finance held a public meeting on May 26th to consider reductions in the budget before sending it out to referendum a third time, scheduled for Tuesday, June 16th.

Despite multiple Guilford residents expressing the need for the BOF to limit any increase in the budget to no more than 2.8% (which was the core rate of inflation in March, and the cost of living adjustment for social security recipients), the BOF opted to decrease the $128,663,203 budget rejected at referendum on May 19^th by only $700,000.

Thus, a new proposed budget of $127,963,203 still represents a 4.23% increase over our current budget of $122,554,319. It’s $2 million too high.

It’s important to grasp that the May 26^th meeting was very different from April 27^th. The agenda for April 27^th called for a Public Forum where comments would first be limited to three minutes, followed by discussion by the BOF to take possible action on revision of the proposed 2026-27 budget.

But May 26^th called first for opening remarks from BOF Chairman Ayles, Board of Education Chairwoman Balestracci, and First Selectman Matt Hoey without a time limit. This was to be followed by a Public Forum where any comments would be strictly limited to 3 minutes, prior to discussion by the BOF.

This change ensured that Guilford’s municipal government, not the public, controlled the narrative.

At the May 26th meeting, officials commented:

• BOF Chairman Ayles, after several Guilford taxpayers called for limiting any increase to the budget to 2.8% or $3.43 million: “I am not willing to entertain a draconian total budget reduction of $2.7 million….based on what has been stated tonight, we should be focused on getting the actual tax increase under the 2026 (social security) cost of living increase of 2.8% … for a combined reduction of $700,000, this would result in a (property) tax increase of 2.73%.” In other words, Chairman Ayles equated a 2.8% budget reduction to a 2.8% increase in our property tax. Yet a 2.8% increase in the budget would result in a much lower increase in our property taxes (closer to 1%).
• First Selectman Hoey continued his taxpayer disrespect, “While the percentage of voters at the (second) referendum increased from 22% to 27%, the margin of defeat shrank from 260 to 104 votes….I suggest that this does not call for drastic action on the Board of Finance, and I urge moderation in your deliberations.” In other words, I don’t care if Guilford taxpayers are hurting, can’t afford another large tax increase, and rejected the budget two times.
• BOF member Rob Federici commented, “I want to send the budget back out with a 0%-dollar reduction.”
• Meghan Scanlon admitted that not one member of the Guilford Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, or Board of Education tried to reduce the huge budget increase in medical insurance coverage for 2026-2027. “I agree we should look at our health insurance. I don’t disagree that we should go out for an RFP (Request for Proposal). We’ve talked about doing that in terms of our healthcare working group going out for an RFP, not just for the carrier, but for the actual broker, which we have not done.” When Guilford last requested an RFP in 2024, the town saved $600,000. Why didn’t Guilford’s leaders request an RFP for 2026?
• Finally, Board of Education Chairwoman Balestracci commented about instructional coaches (non-classroom coaches who work only with teachers and administrators), “professional learning ensures instructional continuity and equity.” Apparently “equity” rather than classroom instruction and student performance is the highest priority in Guilford Public Schools.

Guilford must AGAIN reject this new proposed budget of $127,963,203 again at referendum on Tuesday June 16^th.

Any increase in the Guilford 2026-2027 budget must be limited to 2.8% which would result in a new budget of $125,985,840 but still include a $3.43 million increase. This is the maximum increase that Guilford taxpayers can endure — property revaluation and another potential tax increase looms this fall.