Coventry Town Manager John Elsesser released a proposed 2010 fiscal yeartown budget with a zero-dollar increase in general government expenditures at a public hearing on Thursday , March 12 .

For the first time in at least 60 years, the budget proposes a reduction in total spending , attributable to weaknesses in the economy , he said .

“ Clearly , we live in uncertain times , and this is a budget unlike any budget that youhave ever seen before , ” Elsesser said in his presentation to a roomful of citizens at Coventry High School . “ This is a unique budget for uncertain times , ” he said .

Despite the budget proposal to decrease expenditures by $ 54 , 601 , or 0 . 15 percent , over the 2008 / 09 budget due to decreases in revenue , the budget calls for a 0 . 45 percent increase in the mil rate , which translates to an approximate 1 . 6-percent increase in property taxes .

“ This budget is really an issue of revenues , ” Elsesser said , noting that due to the budget crisis within the state government , state aid to cities and towns has been reduced .

“ We may not be able to keep going forward with the same levels of services that we’ve had , ” Elsesser said . The proposed budget includes cuts in free winter sand and salt for residents , elimination of the police lake patrol and reduced hours for the animal control officer .

State funding contingencies may also determine if the senior van will continue to operate for elderly transportation services , Elsesser said . Further , due to a position reduced from full-time to part-time in the tax office , the budget proposes that COVRRA and sewer taxes become singlepayment , instead of the current doublepayment .

Elsesser said all non-unionized town employees agreed to a pay freeze during the upcoming budget yearand that he was in talks with the town’s unions for similar concessions . “ This budget is one of sacrifice , and town employees have , once again , stepped up , ” he said .

The 1 . 6-percent increase in the overall budget stems from the proposed increase in the Board of Education budget . The final board figure is less than the 6 . 19-percent increase recommended from building principals . The education budget proposes staff reductions of six fulltime teachers , four paraprofessionals , one and a half secretaries , one librarian and one nurse , among other positions .

Asked why she recommended a smaller budget than school principals proposed , Superintendent of Schools Dr . Donna Bernard said , “ I know the destruction if we don’t get early community support on this budget . I know what happens in this town if we play ‘ failed referendum’ until October or November . ”

Both Elsesser and Bernard made reference to the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , but were uncertain how much of the federal stimulus money would make its way to Coventry . Stimulus funding is expected to be specifically targeted to road construction ( three Coventry roads – Lake , Cross and South streets – are eligible ) and special education services .

“ We know we are going to get something , we just don’t know how much , ” Elsesser said .

Citizens attending the town hearing expressed general acceptance for the challenges that the budget addresses , but concern over some proposed cuts , especially in the Coventry Lake Patrol .

“ This is the equivalent of saying that the Coventry Police cannot Patrol Route 44 [ the main state road running through town ] , ” said Coventry Police Officer Michael Hicks , who leads the Police Union .

The manager’s proposed budget will now be considered by the Town Council at meetings scheduled through the months of March and April . The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for 10 a . m . on Saturday , April 25 , and the budget referendum will be held on Tuesday , May 5 .