Our Government Is Broken

To the Editor:

Who governs Newtown?  Not our first selectman! Although citizens elected Joe Borst, the Democratic selectman and the other Republican selectman continue to out vote Mr Borst 2-1 on key issues. At the November 3 selectmen’s meeting, Mr Borst proposed to replace the 60-year-old asbestos roof on the Fairfield Hills town hall to protect the $12–$14 million renovation project underneath, but the 2-1 No vote killed Mr Borst’s effort. The same threatened 2-1 vote forced Mr Borst in January 2008 to sign the Newtown Hall lease that is financially risky for the town. Ten months later no work has begun. Maybe the developer is waiting for those new tax breaks the Legislative Council is considering. Remember, a completely new 74,000-square-foot town hall could be constructed for less than $14 million. (Assessor’s report 5/17/07)

The town hired Planimetrics to produce a long-range 30 years population projection along with a comparison with Trumbull, a nearby town that is similar to Newtown in many ways. A review of Trumbull public employee staffing and school population directs one’s attention to startling facts. To prepare to serve our existing population and the anticipated increase of 6,340 persons by 2030 (p. 17, A-3) as well as Trumbull does now, Newtown will need to add: 1. Gradually, 25 or more additional police (1 officer per 486 residents) and construct a new facility, 2. Build a town hall that can accommodate 98 more municipal employees (1 per 132 residents p. A-4), 3. Build an additional elementary school about 2015–2020, 3. Construct a larger high school opening by 2030. 4. The senior population will double to 5,558 by 2030. A standalone senior center is essential. Where will we find the land?

Will economic development help pay for these 2030 projected needs? Trumbull has 12.8 percent commercial property; Newtown has 8.4 percent, but the equalized mill rate reveals Trumbull’s rate is 13.85; Newtown’s is 13.99; a difference of $49. With more commercial property, why are Trumbull taxes almost the same as Newtown’s? In-depth studies provide the answer. Commercial development creates job opportunities and accelerates people moving into town to take some of those jobs. The Ridgefield and Vermont League of Cities studies concluded that the more economic development, the more people, and it’s people demanding services and schools that cause taxes to rise. (See CERC report 4/07 p. 2) Relief will not come from economic development.

Our town government is broken. The facts are ignored. The political parties are already jockeying to put their candidates in place for 2009. Without a long- range plan for accommodating population growth and necessary spending, we can expect portable classrooms again in 20 years and an inadequate town hall. Unless we set aside land now, we will repeat the Head O’ Meadow story and take land by eminent domain.

How can we get our government to function and to listen to its citizens? Any ideas?

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill, Sandy Hook                              November 12, 2008