The Protest

Vote

To the Editor:

I am the protest vote. At least that’s how a lot of people, including members of the Legislative Council, have chosen to label those of us who don’t want to pay for the unnecessary $10+ million new town hall that we never approved. I have always considered this year’s budget a fair one considering the circumstances Newtown is faced with. But, I know that every year for the next decade, Newtown’s taxpayers and our schools will pay a significant price if the Fairfield Hills Master Plan continues in its current form. The sad thing is that nearly everyone else is unaware that a Yes vote is a vote in support of a new town hall. Even our Superintendent of Schools stated last week in a letter to parents, “Voting No on the budget will not affect whether or not the town hall is built.” That statement simply isn’t true and without a retraction, the upcoming referendum may not be a fair one.

If the budget is approved as it stands today, it will provide $436,450 for debt service on a $6 million loan to be used to continue funding a new town hall. If anyone is unsure, call Ben Spraggs, Finance Director at 270-4221. Ben will corroborate the link between the budget and the new town hall. Ben also shared with me that even with a budget defeat, the town might still try to borrow funds by betting that voters will approve the debt service in future budgets. Remember, we are talking about a new town hall in a master plan that Newtown’s taxpayers rejected in the 2003. Personally, I consider what the town has done illegal, and clearly, a new town hall is unnecessary. If taxpayers agree, I recommend that until the FFH debt service line item is removed, they vote No.

It’s important that taxpayers know that FFH funding was approved in 2001 and can only be used for projects related to FFH. However, I would argue that without a master plan approved by the public, the town has no master plan for which it can legally borrow against. Without borrowing for FFH, the town’s capacity for funding other projects is increased.

I believe taxpayers, including Legislative Council members, did not know about the link between the budget and the new town hall because the selectmen are feverishly advancing their town hall and commercial venture behind the scenes. This has caused the town to drop the ball when it comes to our children’s education and the condition of our schools and town services.

Many people I have spoken with can’t imagine that a new town hall can be built without our approval. But our window of opportunity to stop the project is closing. Aside from costly legal action and P&Z stepping up to the plate, only widespread public opposition against a new town hall will keep our taxes in check. If you agree, become a protest vote.

Kevin Fitzgerald

24 Old Farm Hill Road, Newtown                                  May 16, 2007