To The Editor:

Dear Legislative Council members. Thank you for serving Newtown. I have comments on the budget.

The director of operations, or whatever it is being called now, because the title as well as the duties keep changing throughout the budget process. Two months into the first selectman's term, Mr. Walczack finds he cannot do the job without hiring an assistant? This is a bait-and-switch to the Newtown taxpayers.

Would he have won the election if the voters knew he couldn't do the job he was running for? This should be put to the charter revision committee. Park & rec playground maintenance cost is too high. Are we not positioned to replace playground equipment next year, 2027? We already pay a lot of money to the fire companies for gear and supplies, etc. Now to pay $50 thousand for a part time administrator? $30 thousand for Economic development to pay for appraisals on FFH property, when you could have a local realtor do this? Lastly, I believe we appropriated monies for a police officer last year, and I am not sure that the hire has taken place yet.

The police chiefs have, for years, always brought forth the FBI studies stating that the population of a certain size should have this many officers. Newtown is not Waterbury or Hartford in terms of the amount of crime.

The boe, budget number should be reduced by no less than $500 thousand. They keep hiring administrative positions. Our school system is top heavy with administrators. They do not teach, just put a drain on resources that should be going to the classroom for teachers to teach. I read in the Voices newspaper that the superintendent of Newtown schools said they laid off 30 personnel last year. No one was laid off; rather, positions as used as placeholders in the budget were not filled. Newtown student scores are still way too low. The focus should be on basic instruction of reading, math, science, and US history.

I know the idea for stop arm cameras is a popular one, I agree with it, that should be the school bus companies' expense, There are many seniors struggling to be able to stay living in Newtown. The increase in taxes for fixed-income people is out of control. Almost ten percent over two years is unaffordable, especially with the revaluation this year. These budgets are forcing seniors to move from Newtown and preventing Young families from moving here. My family will not support this budget.

Philip Carroll

Newtown