BETHEL – Selectmen have approved the annual town meeting warrant, a 34-article document with a municipal budget of $2.46 million.

If the adopted county tax, budget and proposed SAD 44 school budget are approved, this proposed fiscal year 2005 budget would result in a tax rate of $17.25 per $1,000 valuation.

That’s would be $1.75 increase over the current tax rate of $15.50.

Town Manager Scott Cole said Wednesday that the proposed municipal budget of $2,460,146 represents an 11.3-percent tax increase.

“A year ago, the town enjoyed a 7.5 percent tax cut. This year, it’s projected to go up by 11.3 percent with the town and school budget as proposed,” Cole said.

“This budget delivers what needs to be done.”

Of the $2,460,146 budget, $1,115,507 is expected in non-tax revenue. The remainder – $1,344,639 – is to be raised by property taxes, Cole said.

The Budget Committee recommended a municipal budget of $2,534,362, or $74,216 more than the selectmen’s recommendation. The two groups differed on what to raise for the Police Department, local contributions and capital improvement budgets.

The Budget Committee recommended raising $198,756 for the Police Department, while selectmen, seeking to implement a wage plan adjustment, sought to raise $214,640.

The committee also recommended raising $23,874 for local contributions, reducing the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce’s $1,800 request for holiday decorations to $400, and a $1,000 request for Independence Day fireworks to $500.

At Monday night’s meeting, selectmen recommended all nine requests, which total $25,774.

Under capital improvements, selectmen recommend raising $163,300, while the committee recommended raising $255,300. Included in the committee’s recommendation are $50,000 for a revaluation and $42,000 to buy a 1-ton truck for Public Works.

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