WETHERSFIELD - The latest Governor-proposed state aid formula would prompt a $1.1 million reduction from Town Manager Jeff Bridges’ proposed budget.

       Bridges got word of the update late Tuesday afternoon, with members of the Town Council convening in the Wethersfield Public Library community room that evening to discuss their options-which, as of that meeting, includes flat funding the Board of Education.

       Council Republicans led by Mike Hurley expressed a desire for a 0 percent school budget increase, pointing to an even less optimistic budget outlook for next year-when the state has to contend with a budget shortfall that nears $1 billion.

       Currently, the Board is looking at a 0.48 percent increase-down from a previous 1.2 percent by way of surpluses and self-imposed cuts.

       â€�"They had a huge surplus last year,” Hurley said. â€�"They’re asking for a bunch of [positions]. I think they can go to zero.”

       Superintendent of Schools Mike Emmett is looking to bring in some new teachers to help fill positions vacated by a projected 9 retirees and maintain current class sizes. Hurley was referring to a $750,000 surplus that was spent on computer purchases-a move that prompted a change in Board policy regarding the amount a superintendent can transfer without Board approval.

       Part of a tentative agreement with the Board-for an $800,000 reduction to help the town make the cut-would be the return of around $600,000 in surplus funds.

       While flat funding is doable for the Board-it would take another $230,000 in cuts-Montinieri cautioned against what he referred to as a â€�"cosmetic” reduction that he said may not be entirely necessary given a far less dire situation faced by the town itself.

       â€�"That’s where I fear we swing the pendulum over to crisis management, from fiscal concern,” he said. â€�"We’re being asked to in negotiate in response to the state budget. The town is not in a budget crisis-we’re in a budget response mode based on the state’s piece of our pie.”

       Shaving another $1.1 million from the Town Manager budget would bring the overall increase to 1.9 percent-down from what would have been a 3.1 percent jump, Montinieri said.

       â€�"It’s the lowest increase we’ve had in years, and we’ve addressed th state impacts,” he said.

       Hurley told Bridges and fellow Councilors that he is hoping to get down to a town side increase of about $1.1 million-an amount that encompasses MDC rate hikes and Wethersfield High School debt service payments.

       â€�"It’s [the state budget] going to get worse,” Hurley said over the phone the next day. â€�"I want to be in a position where we’re able to handle anything the state throws at us.”

       The Council was looking to avoid a last resort list that includes the closing of a municipal pool, moving the transition academy to the Nature Center instead of the envisioned Silas Deane Highway location, and eliminating an SRO position.

       Republicans expressed a desire to steer clear of a digging into a fund designated specifically for paving projects.

       â€�"If you did all of that and the paving, you [still] wouldn’t be at a million,” said Deputy Mayor Steve Barry.

       Hurley asked Bridges if they could consider reducing each department by one position.

       This would be difficult, particularly in departments such as the Fire Marshal’s, which is a single employee, Bridges said. Other areas, such as police, would have lasting staff impacts if cuts are made to their personnel, he said.

       â€�"You’re going to start having holes, because it takes too long to fill those positions,” Bridges said.