Understanding The Budget

To the Editor:

I thank the Board of Finance for responding to the inquiry about clarifying the debt service of the improvement bond issue. The Board of Finance has asked for the future public notices to specify the capital project for the bond issue. Posting the list of the existing debt service and the Board of Selectmen budget on the town website will help all of us to better understand the budget. This is a step toward providing greater transparency.

There were many other questions from the Board of Finance public hearing that remain unanswered. I was disappointed that these questions were not answered prior to voting on the current operating budget.

I asked if in the current budget, we are adding 10,000 square feet onto the existing senior center for $1.37 million while at the same time it appears as if we are being asked to approve the new bond issue for the design phase of the multipurpose center, which includes a new senior center. The Board of Finance did not answer this question, and Mr Rosenthal made an offer to answer this question via a telephone conversation. I had requested that the answer be “on the record” so that I could share this information with others. Mr Rosenthal has not returned my call.

I also asked if there was a mechanism available for the Board of Finance to revise/reallocate the bond money already approved to better evaluate if the Board of Finance could reallocate or delay bonding for open space and/or other capital projects to help to fund the operating budget, reduce the tax increases or to fund other priority projects given that the Board of Finance has repeatedly stated that the residential growth has slowed down.

Why can’t we hold off on the open space acquisition plan until we have a better understanding of the final buildout numbers? We have already spent $3.7 million. Recently, the locally produced data reduced the number of remaining homes to be built from 2,700 units to 1,600–1,800 units, a dramatic shift that appears to have come from out of the blue. The Board of Finance says that the open space plan “fits in the CIP” and “we have demonstrated financially that purchasing the correct parcels is cheaper than having it developed and goes a long way to holding down taxes and preserving what we all enjoy about the town.”

I have asked for this financial analysis in the past and have yet to receive this return on investment analysis. The only document that was provided was a list of land purchased for $3.7 million. Newtown is expected to spend $16 million in total for open space acquisition. I asked if we are able to afford this plan in light of other priorities in town. A comprehensive approach to dealing with the middle school needs does not “fit in the CIP.” It is unfortunate that the five-year capital improvement plan will not address the long-term needs of this growing town. When will we finally realize that we need to develop a long-range strategic plan?

Po Murray

38 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                            March 7, 2007