Issues Are Being

Overlooked

To the Editor:

Last evening, for the third time in as many meetings, the Board of Education was unable to reach a decision about the award of the hotly debated 2009–2014 transportation contract. As a point of clarification, this is the transportation other than that provided by the town’s 35 owner-operators. Newtown is extremely unique in that the bulk of the student transportation is handled by a group of independent owner-operators instead of a major bus company. Specialized transportation, such as special needs children, out of district students, and summer programs are the transportation needs at issue in this current contract.

At the meeting, much was made of the relative financial strength of MTM in the face of capital expenditures of approximately $500,000, in order to perform the contract. The dissenting members of the board questioned if MTM could profit at the current bid levels given the anticipated debt-load. However, this would appear to be a business decision for the principals of MTM to decide; if they can perform and profit at the current bid levels then so be it.

However, other important issues are being overlooked. MTM is a Newtown-owned business serving the Town of Newtown. MTM has performed under its existing contract with an excellent service record for six years. MTM has its infrastructure already in place. All-Star would have to create an infrastructure from scratch. MTM has all of its drivers in place and all are trained on their respective routes. All-Star does not. MTM has its storage and maintenance facility in Newtown. All-Star has no such facility. In fact, while they have pursued a Newtown location, All-Star has yet to make any commitment to purchase property in Newtown. MTM is ready, willing, and able to perform the contract right now. All-Star will have to purchase buses, purchase property, create a site of operation on the property, hire and train drivers, and begin operation all by July 1, 2009. Why, given the immense amount of capital investment needed by All-Star to take this contract, is the board not concerned with the financial viability of All-Star given this necessary capital expenditure?

If the contract is awarded to All-Star the handwriting is on the wall; one component of the quality of life in Newtown will be erased. The next to fall will certainly be the owner-operators. Taxpayers in Newtown have made their support of MTM on this issue clear. If the Board of Education overlooks the support of the taxpayers, we will find ourselves in a race downhill changing the character of the Town of Newtown forever. As a lifelong Newtown resident raising my own family here, and a small business owner in Newtown, I am disheartened to see this happen.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Connor, III

8 Pond Brook Road, Newtown                                            May 6, 2009