Windsor Locks library funding, summer camps at risk ahead of fourth budget referendum

Windsor Locks voters will head to the polls July 14 for a fourth referendum on the town budget after rejecting three previous proposals, with the latest round of proposed cuts raising concerns about the future of library services and parks and recreation programs.

Each time voters rejected a proposed budget, the Board of Finance made additional cuts before sending a new proposal back to voters.

First Selectman Jonathan Savino is encouraging residents to participate in the upcoming vote, regardless of how they vote.

“This is for your future. This is for your town,” he said.

Savino said voter turnout has declined with each referendum.

“When the votes keep coming in, less people are voting, that’s sad to me. This is your town,” he said.

Among the latest proposed reductions is a $100,000 cut to the Parks and Recreation Department, which town officials say threatens summer camp programs.

The Windsor Locks Public Library also faces significant reductions. The library’s annual operating budget is about $450,000. Under the latest proposal, funding would be reduced to $235,000, a level the library says it has not seen since 1992. The cuts could result in reduced hours, staff layoffs, no new book purchases and the elimination of programs.

Library Director Lois Crozier said the impact would be significant.

“It will mean no new books, no programs. A real hit to the resources for the town,” she said.

Crozier said demand for library services has grown.

“Especially now with the current economic situation around the country, we have more users because they can check out movies, we have a library of things,” she said.

During public comment, some residents voiced concerns about the proposed cuts. Others said the town can only afford to spend so much and suggested the library use its endowment. The library board said the endowment would not come close to covering its current operating budget.

Savino said he does not want to see those services reduced but said the repeated budget rejections have required additional cuts.

“Each time we get a no vote, the Board of Finance, they have to go back and meet and say what do we cut? They keep saying no,” he said.

Savino said he hopes residents participate in the fourth budget referendum.

“Just please go out and vote. I don’t care how you vote. I just want everyone to come out,” he said.

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