Date: Fri 14-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

selectman-Cascella-survey

Full Text:

First Selectman's Informal Survey Asks People To Rate Newtown

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

From time to time, Carol Ross, administrative assistant in the first

selectman's office, sends out surveys to randomly chosen residents to get a

fix on how people feel about the way the town is run.

Much like one you might find in a restaurant, the town's Resident Evaluation

Survey asks residents (customers) to check the area that best describes the

service they received: excellent, good, average and poor. It also asks

residents to list any concerns or comments they feel need to be addressed.

"We've done this for a couple of years and have found it to be effective,"

said First Selectman Bob Cascella. "If something comes in with a criticism, we

try to address the problem to the best of our abilities."

If you've never received one of these questionnaires, don't be surprised to

find one in your mailbox some day soon. Plus, the latest surveys have been

updated for more specific questions. The town will be sending out about 50 or

60 later this month.

"Instead of just questions about town services, this survey will ask people,

`What would you like to see in Newtown?'" said Mr Cascella. "We're hoping to

use it as a planning tool."

The first selectman said residents who do not receive a survey in the mail any

time soon are welcome to stop by his office to pick one up.

On average, about 25 percent of the surveys are mailed back with responses.

The rest, Mrs Ross figures, either get lost in the mail or weren't filled out

because the resident had no major gripe. Mrs Ross said the responses are

usually from residents who are either especially happy or unhappy with

services.

The first selectman's office has not sent the questionnaires out since last

fall, but, according to Mrs Ross, complaints have gone down, except for one -

the condition of the roads.

Other complaints included too much development in town, not enough assistance

at the recycling center for the elderly, more "toxic waste" days, increased

police visibility from 7 pm to midnight, and a lack of urgency to maintain the

town's infrastructure.

The responses do occasionally include praise for the town government. One of

Mr Cascella's favorites is from a woman who said, "I like the style of the

current administration; very relaxed and cordial, but very efficient. Kind of

what living in Newtown should be all about."