Town Approves

$72.9 Million Budget

By Steve Bigham

Pierre Rochman said he felt like an expectant father waiting for the birth of a new baby as he paced back and forth across the middle school gymnasium floor Tuesday night. The Legislative Council chairman was anticipating the results of this week’s budget referendum, and he seemed anxious as he waited with others for the count.

But as the vote count became known, Mr Rochman’s anxiety quickly turned to glee. The town had approved the 2001-2002 budget (up 7.5 percent) by a vote of 1,436 to 934. By approving the proposal by more than 500 votes, for this year at least, the voters ignored the significant tax increase coming their way in favor of the spending initiatives in the budget. The tax rate now jumps from 29.5 to 31.8 mills, meaning a home assessed at $175,000 would see its taxes jump from $5,163 to $5,565, a $402 increase.

“I was very concerned coming into this thing, but I’m absolutely tickled pink,” said Mr Rochman. “It kind of gives me a lot of confidence to go forward.”

Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed called it a landmark vote for Newtown’s future.

“I’m excited. I’m euphoric and it’s nights like this that remind me of how fortunate I am to be superintendent of schools in Newtown,” he said.

Yes, the approval of the $72.9 million budget for 2001-2002 had people especially giddy Tuesday. This was not the usual budget victory. Town leaders viewed the wide margin of victory as an endorsement of their leadership, particularly on the issues of the 5/6 school, Fairfield Hills, and municipal office space needs. More than $1.2 million worth of debt service for these huge capital projects was in this week’s approved budget. The added money will be used to pay the first installment of a 20-year bonding issue for the two capital projects.

“I’m inclined to think the margin of victory indicates that perhaps it’s not just people acquiescing the budget, but that they’re satisfied with what we’re doing,” council member Tim Holian said. “I think if people were adamantly opposed to the 5/6 school or Fairfield Hills, then they would have been out in droves, so maybe the town does want to do these things.”

Council member Will Rodgers agreed.

“It seems like people are trying to send a message, ‘Let’s get on with this.’”

The real vote on those two major projects comes in June at a town meeting. The two issues will be voted on separately, but at the same meeting.

Up 2.3 mills over the current budget, the 2001-2002 spending plan had lots of key items within it, something for everyone, town officials said. But there was some apprehension that the annual “no” voters might shoot it all down. Few people expected such a large victory.

“I’m surprised at the margin. I would have guessed something much closer,” Mr Rochman said. “I think what it tells me is that this wasn’t a vote where people were willing to settle. I think it’s a vote of confidence. I haven’t seen a margin like that in a long time.”

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal also expressed joy at the victory, but expressed disappointment that only 2,300 out of 14,500 voters took the time to vote. He is left to wonder what the remaining 84 percent of the population are thinking.

“I guess it sort of implied consent by their absence,” he said.

Dr Reed said the approved budget provides for a 5/6 school, the purchase of Fairfield Hills, and for the town to embark upon its field and municipal space needs.

“That budget was a blueprint for this. It’s a tremendous endorsement. We need to get on with it. The school system needs to begin hiring teachers. The 5/6 school bids will start coming in,” he said.

During Tuesday’s vote, The Bee randomly interviewed a handful of voters. Those who said they voted in favor of the budget said they did so because they had kids in the schools or simply felt the large increase was justified. Those who voted “no” called it an irresponsible budget. One man said he voted “no” as protest to the town’s handling of Fairfield Hills.

“I voted it down. I don’t want anything to do with this thing down here,” he said, pointing toward Fairfield Hills. “Why? Because there’s no plan. It’s idiocy. And to hold the 5/6 school hostage to Fairfield Hills just [angers me]. They’re holding it hostage. Sure, there’s lots in [the budget] for everyone. All those are wonderful ideas, but the issue is Fairfield Hills, nothing else.”

 

Where The Money Will Go

The biggest portion of the town spending, $42.4 million (or 58 percent), will go to fund the school system. That budget represents a 7.5 percent increase over the current budget. School leaders had sought a somewhat larger budget, but were required to make $800,000 in cuts in order to bring it within the council’s 7.5 percent guideline.

The remainder of the budget, $30.2 million (31 percent), will go to fund town services and debt service. The town portion of the budget prepared by the Board of Selectmen is up 7 percent, which is mainly due to the debt service increase mentioned above. Debt service represents nearly 11 percent of the overall budget.

Taxpayers will be called on to pay for 75.7 percent of the budget, a figure that continues to go up as the State of Connecticut, town officials say, continues to put the burden on the individual homeowners. The rest will come from state revenue (13.3 percent), local fees and other revenues (7.2 percent), and surplus (3.8 percent).