To the Editor:

There are over 250 miles of roads in Newtown. Maintaining them and upgrading the storm sewers is one of those basic things that should be attended to year-in and year-out. But it wasn’t too long ago that this key aspect of good government, which we have come to take for granted over the last six years, was sorely neglected.

 Back in the late eighties, thanks to the bipartisan service of Selectmen Duane Baumert and Mike Snyder, a long-range plan for road building was developed. Subsequent administrations let that slip, and our roads deteriorated because of it. When Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski came into office six years ago, that plan was resurrected, updated, and implemented.

Since then, over 100 miles of roads have been resurfaced. Every year, those trucks with the gigantic vacuum cleaners attached to them clean out the drains in preparation for winter.

 Proper road maintenance pays dividends to the town for many years. It will reduce our operating costs going forward, not to mention the wear and tear on our cars. Sound management isn’t about grandstanding to get yourself some free press; it’s about paying attention to the basics. Another reason to reelect Herb and Joe on November 4.

Sincerely,

Phyllis Framularo

26 Orchard Hill Road, Newtown                            October 15, 2003