Budget cuts coming in New London

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) -- Some big budget cuts are coming in New London. The mayor is trying to make sure he has a handle on spending once the new, tighter budget is set.

That requires the city to impose new fiscal constraints on services and staffing levels.

Mayor Daryl Finizio's sixth executive order: department heads must report anticipated deficits, vacant positions could remain vacant until the end of the year, and all event permits like the St. Patrick's day parade, must be approved by the Mayor.

"The impact of that parade on police overtime and public works dollars can range between 15 and $20,000," said Finizio.

The order means any group wanting to hold an event may need to raise enough money to cover those costs.

"We wanted change," said Nancy Free, of New London. "We wanted something to happen in our city, but he's made a lot of changes in a short amount of time, and a lot of people are getting left to the wayside."

Layoffs and cutbacks have already been announced for the shrinking public works department.

"We are making assessments," said Finizio, "at this time we are doing all we can in the attempt to avoid layoffs in our public service, public safety departments, police and fire, but at this point we can't guarantee that that won't occur."

In anticipation of a big crowd for Monday night's public hearing, the city council meeting has been moved to Scanlon Auditorium, at the high school starting at 6 p.m.

The superintendent tells News 8 a lot of times the people who come out for these public hearings are people who want to keep taxes low. He is hoping people who want to raise the quality of education also speak up.

"We haven't had a tax increase for the last four years," said Dan Gaynor, of New London. "Services do go up. It's only reasonable that if you want to maintain services you have to pay for them."

"I definitely don't want to pay more taxes," said Alfredo Alcalaesparza, of New London. "I think the taxes here are pretty high."

Under the budget amended by city councilors residents could see an eight percent increase in taxes this year.