Rebidding NHS Expansion

Is A Waste Of Money

To the Editor:

Newtown needs to improve the high school, and voters approved $38.8 million for it. Initial bids were $6 million over budget. Bad consultant advice, overdesign, and unanticipated cost increases have been discussed as possible causes.

I am frustrated by the recent town leader meeting about project rebid or redesign. Public Building and Site Commission Chair Bob Mitchell said, “Nobody on my board thinks that (a cost savings of $6 million) is possible” by rebidding. Yet school board member David Nanavaty said he did not want to change the design given to voters. When asked whether the board would strip features if rebid fails to meet budget, school board member Kathy Fetchick responded, “If it is possible to do that, otherwise we go back to the voters.” Finance Board Chairman John Kortze said, “There is an issue of what’s been represented to the town — and that’s a moral issue.”

The moral issue is to make the critical improvements within the approved budget. Voters manage their own budgets and expect our leaders to make difficult financial choices; especially in today’s economy. Rebidding is unlikely to save $6 million. Responsible design provides flexibility to withdraw items if necessary.

I moved to Newtown in 1997. Since then the Consumer Price Index estimates cumulative inflation at 32 percent. Over the same period my property taxes rose by 92 percent, similar to other voters, reflecting strong financial support for town needs. Our leaders want more and complain about a lack of support. The numbers belie that claim.

We are wasting money by rebidding the same design. Redesign the project with the flexibility to deliver the critical needs within the approved budget. Don’t ask again for more money. My answer will be “No.”

Kurt Krueger

201 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook               February 1, 2009