To the Editor:

I am writing to support the Board of Education’s and Board of Selectmen’s budgets as adjusted by the Board of Finance. I understand we have significant, unusual state defunding at the town and Board of Education levels. Health insurance and utilities costs are soaring, with the former costing us a 2.2% increase in itself.

The Board of Finance did the deep dive. The Newtown Bee gave a “Standing O...” to the Board’s hard decisions. I agree with the Board’s conclusion that you cannot include $1,000,000 revenue for the sake of old police station property when there is lukewarm interest. Practically speaking, it requires historic district workshops, hearings and appeals, negotiations with abutting property owners for additional parking space, zoning and/or ZBA for attempts to meld properties, and then contract. If started today it would take at least a year and a half. Bottom line, the Board of Finance took it out so as to not create another $1,000,000 hole in this year’s budget.

Likewise, the Board of Finance cut the Board of Education down to bare bones. They will be searching for at least $800,000 in savings. With their non-recurring fund at only $600,000 the Board of Education will be stretching as much as the Town and it should not be cut further. There is no more to go.

Finally, vote “yes” to the Special Appropriation Referendums. A “no” vote closes our Library, closes our Newtown High School and the other facilities. These are not asks. These are musts, timely engaged and financially planned.

Jim Allen

Newtown