Michael Portnoy

14 Winding Brook Road, Newtown, CT  06470

E-mail:  mikeportnoy@charter.net (H), mike@trustadvisors.net (W)

Family:  Susan, my wonderful wife of 27 years; Andrew, age 25, BS, MS, PhD candidate, Duke University; Elizabeth, age 22, industrial design major at University of Bridgeport.

Party Affiliation:  Democrat

Newtown residency:  24 years

Education:  BA, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1973; MBA, Capital University, 1977.

Occupation: Managing Director and Co-founder (1989) of Trust Advisors LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Question responses: 1) There is not one critical governmental factor facing Newton, but many.  We must anticipate the growth of the town looking forward and we have to balance the various needs of each constituency, i.e. the students, families, seniors, etc. I have served on the Board of Finance for six years.  I will continue to use my financial and analytical skills in addressing the operational and capital budget needs of the town and passing on those recommendations to the Legislative Council.

3) I am a good listener.  I will continue to listen to all and combine that with my financial expertise and common sense in working with my fellow members of the Board of Finance.

  4) I believe that the many capital projects that are either planned or underway do not get enough attention in town.  Many negative voices ring out that there are no plans for educational facilities, fields for recreation, or other capital needs.  On the contrary, there are over $100 million in capital projects listed on the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan.  We must continue to publicize these points in The Bee, on the town’s website, or even through town meetings.  

5) Certainly, and with good reason, the majority of every tax dollar goes to fund education.  The Board of Education’s priority should be to attain a high quality of education for our children.  However, they must be cognizant of the fact that the tax dollar is not unlimited and must justify and prioritize each and every expenditure.

6) Fairfield Hills needs to be a focal point of town.  There is a great opportunity to have commercial, retail, municipal and educational facilities as well as fulfilling some recreational needs at Fairfield Hills.  The authority must create a plan to balance all of the uses of FFH and also be aware that there needs to be some revenue streams created to offset some of the Town’s costs.

7) While there are always some that think we have major problems in Newtown, I disagree.  We have a wonderful community, a mix of young and old, and have responsible leaders who are doing their best for our town. I pledge that I will do my best in creating responsible budgets and long term planning as a member of the Board of Finance.  It is “Nicer in Newtown”.