The LWV of Weston pamphlet, from which this information comes, is available at the Town Clerk's Office...free of charge!

L E A G U E   OF   W O M E N   V O T E R S   O F   W E S T O N
Guide to Weston's Budget Process On-Line

Town Meeting - The Town Meeting form of government is a link with history. It grew out of decision-making used in the American colonies over 300 years ago. It is the purist form of democrary - one person, one vote - and is used in a majority of municipalities in Connecticut. Under the Town Meeting form of government, every qualified voter is a legislator of the town. The major legislative power of the town is vested in the Town Meeting. The remaining legislative power is vested in the Board of Selectmen.

Qualified Voters for Town Meeting - All registered Weston voters are members of the Town Meeting. In addition, U.S. citizens 18 years or older, who own property in Weston assessed at $1000 or more, but are not registered voters, may participate and vote. ACTION at the Town Meeting is taken by a majority of qualified voters present and voting.

Annual Town Budget Meeting (ATBM) - The purpose of the Annual Town Budget Meeting is to achieve a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The Town Budget consists of the Selectmen's Budget (line items for each town agency and service), the Board of Education Budget (which is one line item), and the Capital Budget (items from all agencies and the Board of Education which cost over $10,000 and with a life expectancy of 10 years or more). The last is reviewed by the Capital Planning Committee, an informal, advisory committee of the First Selectman.

NOTE:  the amount may have been raised.

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• In late November the Board of Education invites public input as the budget assumptions and enrollment projections are discussed.
• Before January 14th, citizens may submit suggested additions for the First Selectman's budget to the Town Administrator. All Town Agencies except the Board of Education submit estimates to the First Selectman. The Board of Education, in early January "review" meetings, adopts its budget; after this time the school budget cannot be raised.
• By January 14 proposed Capital Budget items must be submitted.  For complete details of the budget process, see the Town Charter and the Moderator's Handbook, available at Town Hall.
• By February 3rd the Board of Education submits a preliminary budget to the First Selectman.  Prior to this time, the Board of Education has approved its own budget. ONCE PASSED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE SCHOOL BUDGET CANNOT BE RAISED.
• By February 10th the First Selectman presents the proposed Town Budget to the Board of Selectmen.  (REMINDER:  THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN HAS NO POWER TO REDUCE THE EDUCATION BUDGET BY CHARTER)...
• By February 25th the Board of Selectmen presents the proposed preliminary Town Budget to the Board of Finance. After this time, the Selectmen's budget cannot be raised. Changes desired by the Board of Selectmen to the budget proposal of the Board of Education can be in the form of a recommendation only.
• In early March, the Board of Finance reviews the Town Budget.  THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S BUDGET WILL BE REVIEWED...
• In late March or early April--at least two weeks before the Annual Town Budget Meeting (ATBM)...\
• The Board of Finance holds one or more Public Hearings on the Board of Education Budget, the Selectmen's Budget and the Capital Budget.  After Public Hearing (s), the Board of Finance may "revise" any budget line as it deems advisable.  This has been traditionally been interpreted as "reduce".
• At least five days before the Annual Town Budget Meeting notice of the "call" of ATBM is published in a local newspaper and copies of the proposed Town Budget and tax rate are available at the Town Clerk's Office.
• No later than April 22nd the Annual Town Budget Meeting (8pm to no later than 11:30pm [8:30pm to no later than 11pm]--if business is not concluded before 11:30pm[11pm], ATBM reconvenes the following night [s]). After ten days, if there has been no challenge, the budget is deemed adopted. The ATBM can only APPROVE or REDUCE any line item proposed by the Board of Finance.
  

Additional Appropriations - Up to $5000 for any agency may be made by the Board of Selectmen. Total for all agencies not to exceed $50,000 per year.
Supplemental Appropriations - May be made by the Board of Selectmen with the approval of the Board of Finance, provided the total sum does not exceed 2% of the current tax levy in any fiscal year.
Extraordinary Appropriations - May be applied for by any town agency to both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance.  If not approved by either Board, the agency may request a Special Town Meeting. At such Town Meeting a minimum of 10% of qualified town voters is required to take action. A majority of that 10% is required to pass the extraordinary expense.  If a petition for a machine vote (Ct. General Statutes Section 7.7 required 200 signatures) is filed against the Call of such Town Meeting, after discussion, the Town Meeting is adjourned and a machine vote is held not less than 7 or more than 14 days thereafter. A majority of 10% of all qualified voters is needed to pass the appropriation.

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RESOURCES:

Town Charter (on-line version--Charter Revision in 2003:  ATBM now begins at 8pm, one half hour earlier and ends at 11:30pm, one half hour later); Administrative Code and copies of the LWV of Weston publication available at the Town Clerk's Office in Weston Town Hall.