Decisions On Funding A New

Town Hall Will Bring Budget Defeats

To the Editor:

In years past, I have voted Yes on most budget referendums because I considered the funds necessary for our town and schools. I also believed at the time that town and school officials, as well as the volunteer committees, councils, and commissions had done their homework, listened to the public and were careful with the planning. I enjoy it when our town can pass a budget on the first try. I think it says a lot about the integrity of the process, the quality of the plan, and the relationship between the town and its taxpayers at the time.

There have also been years where I not only voted against the budget, but campaigned along with many others to defeat the budget because it was unfair and poorly prepared or excessive. In October 2002, I remember joining other taxpayers in front of town hall in very foul weather protesting the town’s increasing debt, poor planning, and our town leaders’ preference to “go it alone” on a redevelopment plan for Fairfield Hills. The following spring, it took three budget referendums and two budget reductions before the budget passed by only 137 votes.

Although the next referendum is still three months away, decisions being made right now tell me that it’s going to be another ugly budget season. Town leaders are continuing to push to have increased funding for their new town hall included in the current budget planning discussions. So if they are successful, and regardless of how sound and sensible the rest of the budget might be in April, it will never pass. The public rejected the new town hall plan in 2003 and they will reject it again in 2007. It will be a shame if our elected town leaders wait until the fourth or fifth referendum, at a cost of $35,000, before they figure this out.

So for those readers who care about preserving funds for our schools, roads, seniors, teens, emergency services, the arts, recreation, and open space, please don’t wait until April to let our elected officials and our volunteer committees, councils, and commissions know that you will vote No for any budget that includes funding for a new town hall at the expense of more critically needed projects.

The good news is that by raising this issue now, there is still plenty of time for the Board of Selectmen and the Legislative Council to change direction on their town hall and still prepare a responsible budget.

Kevin Fitzgerald

24 Old Farm Hill Road, Newtown                           January 24, 2007