"Keeping Windsor Locks moving in the right direction" Please vote November 5, 2013.

My name is Michelle Hill and I am running for re-election to the Board of Finance. I have been a Windsor Locks resident since my youth and remained my home town while serving in the United States Marine Corp. My husband Drew and I are raising two girls whom one has recently graduated from the Windsor Locks school system. As your elected Board of Finance member, I have a vested interest in keeping Windsor Locks moving in the right direction.

Having been involved in over a decade of budget preparations, each year brings on its own meaning to defining a budget that fits the needs for all residents. The budget is not just for education, police, or Department of Public Works, although they are the largest portion of the overall Town budget, the board has to focus on all services and departments. Over the years, I have seen the town lose revenue from machinery equipment income from local businesses and PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) money from the state for the airport. And most recently, the state is trying to move forward with eliminating the motor vehicle tax. Revenue is so unpredictable.

After closing out the spending for fiscal year 13 the town ended the year with a surplus, a position we had hoped for during the budget preparations in deciding to use $600k from fund balance.   Fiscal year 13 closed with excess funds totaling about $1.2m, which came from unused special education revenue of $250k, the sale of the Montgomery building of $250k, and approximately $800k from various departments using austere budgeting knowing that future revenues are in jeopardy. These funds will be returned to the fund balance, which is our safety net as future State funding erodes further. Overall the Board of Finance has focused on maintaining a strong fund balance to ensure our ability to finance projects like roads, school maintenance, and emergency service upkeeps.

The Town of Windsor Locks is not hoarding funds as some like to say and staying at status quo. Status quo would mean our school systems would still be below the average, our roads would be falling apart, crime rates would be higher and the library would lose town support.

Please take the time to come out and vote for me on November 5, 2013.

Michelle L. Hill

Candidate for Re-Elect

Board of Finance