Council Sets Tax Rate, Hears Ordinance Proposals

By Jan Howard

The Legislative Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to set the tax rate of 24.9 mills for the 2004-05 fiscal year, based on the October 2003 Grand List of $2,844,710,761.

The voters on April 27 approved an $84.4 million budget that takes effect on July 1. The budget includes $31,320,265 for town government and $53,118,457 for the schools, a 6.4 percent increase over the current year’s budget of $79,737,162.

The council also unanimously approved two resolutions for a Social Services Donation Fund and Conservation Commission Gift Fund that were recommended by the Board of Selectmen.

The resolutions call for donations or gifts specific for the Social Services department or the Conservation Commission to be placed “in the custody of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown.” The two accounts would be separate from other town accounts.

Disbursements from the Social Services account would be approved by the director of social services or the first selectman. Disbursements from the Conservation Commission account would be approved by the director of land use or the first selectman.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal explained that the accounts would be similar to those of the Board of Education and Parks and Recreation, among others.

During his report to the council, Mr Rosenthal discussed the Board of Selectmen’s recommendation for an ordinance prohibiting the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes, and other motorized vehicles in town parks and open space lands.

“They do damage to trails and Forest Association lands,” he said.

He also provided the council’s ordinance committee with information he received from the Connecticut Council of Municipalities highlighting how other towns had addressed the problem, including an ordinance enacted by Stratford.

Mr Rosenthal also noted that he had received calls and letters regarding noise caused by the vehicles in residential areas. A noise ordinance would need the approval of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). He noted a noise ordinance sought by the Borough had been rejected by DEP.

He said although there have been some issues expressed about motorcycles not having mufflers, most of the complaints have been about three- and four-wheel ATVs. He said the police can enforce the state statute if the ATVs are on the road and not registered.

He also noted the statistics on injuries and fatalities regarding ATVs, noting they have increased “because more kids are riding them.”

Mr Rosenthal also advised the council that he is considering separating some of the functions of the Ad Hoc Open Space Task Force.

“They have done a lot of work on an inventory of properties,” he said. “I want them to concentrate on open space.”

In response to that, he said he is considering a Trails Committee under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department. He said Parks and Recreation Chairman Larry Haskel is interested in broadening the focus of his commission to activities such as hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.

Parks and Recreation has the equipment and staffing to do the work, he said, noting that it is more natural function than of the Conservation Commission.

He said he would like the Ad Hoc Open Space Task Force to focus on locating properties of value the town should consider purchasing.

Mr Rosenthal also advised council members that a representative of The Trust for Public Lands would be able to attend the council’s meeting on May 19 to discuss open space funding.