Speeding, Lyme Disease, Budget Process Among Top Survey Concerns

Whether it involves public health concerns like Lyme disease, traffic woes, or perceptions about local government, Newtown survey expert Paul Lundquist is never surprised when reliable statistical information debunks rumors or preconceived ideas about what the general public is thinking.

The local research professional is ready to talk about what fellow Newtown residents are thinking when he unveils the results of an October survey that was completed by more than 850 residents (see related story). That presentation is set for Tuesday, January 8, at 7 pm, at Edmond Town Hall.

Besides defining with a great degree of precision what respondents feel about specific issues in town, the survey also clarifies certain public attitudes. For example, he said the survey revealed that residents are not as concerned about the political affiliations of town leaders as they are about wanting those elected officials to look out for taxpayers’ best interests.

More specific to concerns expressed recently by public officials looking to craft a budget that will be endorsed on the first referendum, Mr Lundquist said the survey proves many townspeople would feel more inclined to support a municipal budget if they had a better understanding of how the money was being spent.

“The results show many people are confounded because they believe the town’s government structure is, by its very nature, complicated,” he told The Newtown Bee in advance of the presentation.

The level of frustration has manifested as anger among some respondents, he said. But at the same time, some responses telegraphed a feeling of guilt because survey participants failed to become involved enough to become more aware of what is happening in the community.

His presentation will provide answers regarding public impressions about Fairfield Hills and planned future activities there, including the proposed new town hall project.

“Fairfield Hills sparked a very broad interest among respondents,” Mr Lundquist said. “Almost everybody expressed excitement about eventual developments.”

He said according to the survey, most residents feel the town did the right thing purchasing the former state hospital and grounds.

As far as the proposed town hall development at Bridgeport Hall is concerned, Mr Lundquist assured that he will present “clear data to answer any questions about whether or not the public supports the town hall project.” In addition, the survey was able to solicit some good ideas about possible future uses for the campus.

The survey also confirmed the majority of respondents are in favor of economic development at Fairfield Hills and elsewhere in Newtown to help offset the residential tax burden.

Mr Lundquist said responses from questions about public health issues revealed a disturbing trend regarding Lyme disease.

“Eighty percent of the households responding said at least one member had suffered a tick bite, and 48 percent said someone in their household was currently or had been treated for Lyme disease. Not diagnosed, but treated,” Mr Lundquist said.

Another prevailing concern involved speeding traffic in residential neighborhoods.

“I expected the number of those concerned about speeding to be high, but the concerns of residents about speeding in their own neighborhoods was significant,” he said. “Seventy-four percent of respondents said they were concerned that most cars were operating at an unsafe rate of speed, and 44 percent rated speeding as the most urgent problem facing the town.”

At the same time, traffic congestion overall was rated among the town’s “most urgent” concerns by 53 percent of households responding.

Three out of four participants rated the quality of Newtown’s education “very good to excellent,” but enthusiasm for the condition of school properties was significantly lower, with only 42 percent responding that school facilities and infrastructure were “very good to excellent.”

In terms of one of the most high profile school project proposals, a high school expansion, the survey found virtually all respondents were aware of the pending $40 million-plus project. Mr Lundquist said most survey participants were concerned that such an expansion should meet the needs of the community, and were concerned any project would continue to meet town needs well beyond the date of completion.

In relation to the overall survey, Mr Lundquist said his presentation January 8 will show a number of issues that rise to the top of the general public’s concern, but each individual issue is driven by subgroups among the overall population who have specific interests.

“Few issues have widespread consensus, and even fewer are unanimous,” Mr Lundquist said.