About Newtown’s Capital Projects

To the Editor:

A number of people have received an email sent by Po Murray to WeCAN members, which was forwarded to others urging support for a Plan of Action recommended by Gary Davis to the Legislative Council. The council listened to Mr Davis but did not support his recommendation at their last meeting.

Let me say at the outset that I applaud people who take the interest and make the time to attend government meetings. I admire people who speak up and let their opinions be known. It takes even more initiative to develop a plan, as Mr Davis has done.

In this instance, as was explained to Mr Davis by me in a telephone conversation prior to the meeting and in further discussion at the meeting, his proposed plan cannot be legally accomplished in the manner he has proposed.

The funds approved by the public in 2001 for Fairfield Hills did not authorize expenditures for a recreation center, senior center, or community center. We always anticipated that additional funds would be needed for those worthwhile projects. The last five Capital Improvement Plans recommended by the Board of Selectmen and approved by the Board of Finance and Legislative Council have incorporated plans for additional funding for a recreation center.

The just-approved Capital Improvement Plan includes all projects requested by the Board of Education in the years they requested them, with the exception of the timing of the Hawley School HVAC project, which has been moved out to follow the high school addition. The 2007-2008 budget to be presented by the Board of Selectmen has funds in debt service for the design of a recreation center/community center, as well as for the design of the addition to Newtown High School.

I hope that this clarifies some of the points raised by Ms Murray in her email.

Sincerely,

Herbert C. Rosenthal

First Selectman

45 Main Street, Newtown                                          January 31, 2007