Accountability Posts

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Proposed mill rate increase and fiscal impact

Manchester residents: The Town Manager is proposing an 8.66% mill rate increase for FY27. This is significantly higher than the historical norm and comes as the town faces declining state aid and lost tax revenue. Stay... https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/ #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT

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Water and sewer rate increases

Utility costs are headed up. The proposed FY27 budget includes a three-year phase-in of rate increases: 15% for water and 10% for sewer. These hikes are intended to fund infrastructure and PFAS remediation. Your monthly... https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/ #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT

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Dismissed community concerns regarding water safety

During the 3/19 Board meeting, residents raised urgent concerns about PFAS contamination and water safety. While the Board discussed the high costs of EPA mandates, they did not directly address resident requests for... https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/ #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT

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Manchester is facing a period of significant financial and utility hikes. At the March 19 Board of Directors meeting, several high-impact proposals were laid out that will directly affect every resident's wallet. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT

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First, the tax burden: The Town Manager proposed an 8.66% increase in the mill rate (to 43.27). This is a major jump driven by declining state aid, commercial property devaluations, and loss of non-profit tax revenue. This is just the starting point for negotiations.

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Second, utility bills: A proposed three-year phase-in will see water rates rise by 15% and sewer rates by 10%. The town cites the need to fund critical infrastructure and the massive costs of meeting new federal PFAS compliance mandates.

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Finally, a gap in accountability: Residents used public comment to demand answers on PFAS contamination sources and access to MDC water. While the Board focused on the 'cost' of compliance, they offered no direct response to these specific safety concerns. https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/

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Longer-form draft.

Manchester residents need to prepare for significant increases in both property taxes and utility bills. During the Board of Directors meeting on March 19, the Town Manager presented a fiscal outlook that includes a proposed 8.66% increase in the mill rate—a jump the Manager noted is much larger than the historical norm.

In addition to higher taxes, the town is proposing a multi-year phase-in of utility rate hikes: 15% for water and 10% for sewer. These increases are being framed as necessary to manage infrastructure needs and the rising costs of complying with new EPA mandates for PFAS remediation.

Of concern was the Board’s response to public testimony. Residents voiced urgent fears regarding PFAS contamination in our drinking water, specifically asking for more studies on contamination sources and the option to access higher-quality MDC water. While the Board discussed the logistical and financial difficulty of meeting federal mandates, they did not directly address the specific safety and access concerns raised by the community.

Watch the upcoming budget workshops. The municipal budget is targeted for adoption on May 12, 2026. https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/ #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT