Newtown’s

Capital Plans

To the Editor:

The Board of Education presented the school five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Board of Finance on September 27 and the Board of Selectmen presented the town five-year CIP to the Board of Finance on October 30. Currently, the Board of Finance are deliberating and consolidating the school and town CIP.

The following projects are under consideration for the next five years:

Capital Road Projects: $10 million.

Technology Park: $3.18 million.

Recreation Center/Senior Center/Pool: $6.8 million.

P&R Maintenance Facility Renovation: $1.63 million.

Open Space Acquisition:                $4 million.

Police Building Renovation: $1.20 million.

Misc. (fire trucks, animal shelter, etc…): $4.48 million.

Total for Town CIP: ~$31million.

High School Expansion: $47.9 million.

Hawley HVAC: $6.42 million.

Sandy Hook HVAC: $3.78 million.

Middle School Roof: $2.03 million.

Middle School Auditorium/Cafeteria design: $2.86 million.

Middle School HVAC: $0.6 million.

Middle Gate HVAC design: $.13 million.

Total for School CIP: ~$64 million.

Important note: Most of the school projects are eligible for 32.86 percent state reimbursement.  According to the architect, construction costs are escalating at seven percent annually. Moody’s downgrade impact would be ½ percent if we were to be downgraded by surpassing the self-imposed 10 percent cap.

How did we end up having almost $100 million worth of capital projects for the next five years?  We are already aware that we will need millions more just beyond the five years (middle school).

In 2005, we approved $12 million for open space acquisition. We have spent $3.77 million; therefore we have more than $8 million not yet bonded.  Is it a priority for Newtown to invest another $4 million in the next five years?

In 2001, we approved $21.8 million for Fairfield Hills.  Mr Rosenthal stated at the last Board of Finance meeting that we now have only $6 million not yet bonded.  What did we spend $15.8 million on?

Why is it that the high school expansion project dominates 99.9 percent of the Board of Finance meetings? 

Can we have a genuine discussion about all projects?

Do we have a long-term vision for Newtown?

Can we begin to create a long-term plan to address the needs?

What are the priorities for Newtown?

These questions are asked of our town leaders over and over again and there is no genuine response. It is very frustrating.

Po Murray

Member of WECAN

38 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                  November 29, 2006