To the Editor:

On Tuesday, Question 2 will ask Newtown voters to decide whether to eliminate our elected Board of Finance. Thoughtful, experienced people from across our town’s political spectrum are urging a “No” vote on Question 2.

In their recent joint Letter to the Editor, the current and previous First Selectmen said: “the gains that the town has made over the last two decades since the BOF was created are undeniable.”

Chris Gardner, a former member of the Board, a current member of the Legislative Council, and someone who knows and deeply cares how Newtown government works, has said, “I worry about any one person or group hand-picking people and removing all decision-making from the voters …[the Board] deliberate(s) independently and generally with a bipartisan tone to help structure a financial plan not only for the next budget year, but for the decade ahead.

This is critical, especially at a time when our finances are under extreme pressure due to inflation and rising interest rates. The more eyes we have on our finances the better.” Current Board Chair John Madzula and all members of the current Board, of both parties, have written to this newspaper outlining the Board’s recent accomplishments and urging that its role should not be lumped in with the Legislative Council’s many other functions.

It’s not a partisan issue, it’s a good government issue. Newtown voters should have the opportunity to vote for an independent Board of Finance that does good and valuable work. It should not be a task force of so-called experts picked by the Legislative Council. Calls for greater efficiency should not be used to erase a valued Board with an important role. Democracy is often not efficient. The Board’s not broken.

Vote NO on Question 2.

Peter Schwarz

Newtown