To The Editor:

On Tuesday, Newtown voters sent a clear message by rejecting the Democrat-backed budget. Thank you to everyone who turned out to vote at the Middle School, especially those who voted no to the budget referendum.

The result reflects a growing concern: rising taxes are making Newtown increasingly unaffordable for the very people who built and sustain it — working families and seniors on fixed incomes.

Over the past 2 years, real estate taxes have increased a combined 10.5%. At the same time, hundreds of delinquent tax accounts — totaling well over $1 million — show the real strain on our neighbors.

Endless, compounding budget increases without serious spending reform is not sustainable. The proposed budget added $5.8 million in spending, a 4.1% increase.

Republican Legislative Council members Donna Rahtelli, Ben Ruben, and myself voted against these budgets because we knew they were not fair to taxpayers in putting forward a 2.79% tax increase after our town’s historic tax 6.7% increase last year. We support fiscal responsibility and were elected on a promise to keep our town affordable for all Newtown residents.

It’s now incumbent that the Board of Selectman and Board of Education work with the Legislative Council in reducing their budgets, while maintaining the quality services our community expects and deserves with hard earned taxed dollars. The voters have spoken and the Legislative Council now needs to significantly reduce the budget accordingly and put forward a fiscally responsible new budget when we reconvene next week.

The views expressed are my own and not of the Newtown Legislative Council of which I am an elected member.

Steve Stolfi

Newtown