Budget Hearings Draws Mixed Reviews

By Steve Bigham

If Tuesday night’s public hearing is any indication, this year’s proposed budget is a statistical dead heat in terms of whether or not it will approved.

The 90-minute meeting in the middle school auditorium featured a mix of residents who spoke both for and against the proposed $69 million budget. School supporters were on hand, but the hearing also featured several members of the so-called “silent majority,” who said a 10.3 percent increase in the budget is unacceptable.

Almost every speaker talked about the need to offset these rising costs with other forms of revenue, such as commercial development.

Nearly 30 residents spoke. About 60 or so were in attendance. Nine members of the Legislative Council were on hand to hear what the public had to say. Noticeably absent was council chairman Pierre Rochman, who has spoken out in strong opposition to one of the largest budget increases in town history.

Tom Wyatt of 7 Valley Field Road kicked off the hearing by urging residents to vote the budget down. A 2.9 mill increase is far too expensive, he feels. “I don’t think I can afford to stay here much longer,” he said. “When I retire in a couple of years, my retirement income will be the same as my working income 20 years ago.”

Geordie Elkins of 20 Taunton Lane concurred, saying he is completely opposed to such an “excessive budget.”

“I don’t want to cheat my children, but we expect private school quality at public school prices,” he said. “Bad loans are made during good times. Who says the economy will be good in the future?”

Speaking from the other side of the issue, Larry Burke of 1 Sweetbriar Lane spoke out in favor of the budget, saying Newtown can not ignore its children. However, at the same time, he understands the plight of many residents who simply cannot afford these tax increases. Mr Burke was one of several residents who urged town officials to work hard to increase the tax base with some commercial development.

Dana Brand of 32 Hi Barlow Road commended the Legislative Council for having the courage to come up with a budget that addresses Newtown’s needs. The long list of needs includes a new 5/6 elementary school, purchase of Fairfield Hills, Edmond Town Hall maintenance, ball fields, municipal space needs, and Hawleyville sewers.

“Unfortunately we’ll have to pay more in taxes, but I don’t see fat. I don’t see excess. I don’t see luxury,” she said.

Deborah Hoffman of Elm Drive agreed with many who said an 11 percent increase in the budget was too high… under normal circumstances. But no one can deny the need for increased spending in this town. This is not a normal year, she said.

The next two years will not be normal either. Town officials have proposed a $45 million borrowing plan over three years that will lead to budget increases each year. Some are predicting a 37 percent increase in the overall budget during the next three years.

Christopher Carpento of 28 Taunton Lane said the taxes have simply gotten out of control.

“You’re driving us out and I’m young. Cut it, please,” he said.

Peter Alagna of 55 Head O’ Meadow Road urged the council to use restraint. Not all capital projects have to be done at the same time, he said. “If we need to put the brakes on, then I think we should.”

Richard Huggins of Frontage Road said he supports the budget. His only wish was that the town could raise the budget and not have to raise taxes. Nevertheless, he said, Newtown is past the point of putting off school budget needs.

“If the Legislative Council had considered these in past years, perhaps we would not have such a large increase this year,” Mr Huggins said.

School supporter Cheryl Clark of Pheasant Ridge said this is the first time she feels “exhilarated” about supporting the town budget. And, she said, Newtown residents need to contact their state representatives to discuss recent cutbacks in education funding by the state.

School supporter Ted Ruddick of 29 Ashford Lane believes Newtown has fallen behind in the past and is having to pay for it now. “We’re trying to play catch-up and that’s a very expensive game to play,” he said. “Let’s not make the children bear the brunt of our mistakes.”

Dennis Dougherty of Pocono Road, a 25-year resident, called on the council to trim back the budget. He reminded members that while the school population is up now, it will eventually come back down. He disagreed with some that claim the Board of Education has been short-changed in recent years.

“To say we’ve been nickel and diming the school system is inaccurate,” he said.

Mr Ruddick suggested the town charge a development impact fee of $5,000 for each new home. That would help keep the taxes down, he said.

But as First Selectman Herb Rosenthal pointed out, the state would need to pass enabling legislation in order for the town to impose such a fee. Mr Rosenthal said an income tax at the town level would also need an enabling law passed by the state.

The first selectman put partial blame on the state for turning its back on Connecticut towns.

“We used to get 25 percent of our education expenditures. Now its down to 10 percent,” he said.

In response to recent newspaper articles that talked about the swaying power of special interest groups, Joe Hemingway of 10 Overlook Knoll said his only interest is Newtown. Support the budget, he said.

Donna Benson of 12 Founders Lane said Newtown needs to keep up with the times and the growth. “Get it done and move on,” she said, urging the council to pass the budget on to the people.

Connie Wong of Flat Swamp Road said any cut to the education side of the budget would be “unconscionable.” Last week, Pierre Rochman used the same word to describe how he felt about his fellow council members approving such an expensive budget.

Michael Snyder of Meghan’s Circle could not help but notice that 25 percent of the Legislative Council was missing from Tuesday’s meeting. “That is a total shame,” he said.

 A second public hearing will be held Saturday at 9 am in the middle school auditorium.