Council Reps Launch Budget Outreach

By John Voket

Regardless of whether taxpayers approve of the latest townwide budget proposal; whether they want a zero increase or a budget reduction; whether or not they plan to turn out for the second referendum next Tuesday; or whether they could not care less about Newtown’s budget, two council representatives are hoping to hear from local constituents about the spending plan.

One week ahead of the second-round budget referendum, which takes place May 17 between 6 am and 8 pm at the Newtown Middle School gym, Legislative Council Vice Chair Mary Ann Jacob and Education Committee Chair Kathryn Fetchick are reaching out and soliciting comments from local taxpayers, even if those taxpayers wish to offer their perspectives anonymously.

In a letter to The Newtown Bee this week, Ms Jacob and Ms Fetchick state, “There has been much debate over the budget and why the voter turnout was so low this year — 21.5 percent of [eligible] voters came to the polls. The last time turnout was this low was in 2002. We are interested in your viewpoint.”

Specifically, the council reps hope residents will answer two questions: Why did you or your family members vote or not vote? and What is your opinion on the latest requested budget amount?

Regardless of the outcome of the May 17 referendum, the officials plan to share those thoughts with the rest of the Legislative Council. And they are more than willing to do that on behalf of any taxpayer whose wish is to remain anonymous during public discussion of the issues.

On May 17, taxpayers will either accept or reject the request for a $105,555,075 appropriation to fund Newtown’s annual fiscal budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The first round referendum April 26, which requested approximately $106.6, million failed by 266 votes.

Although the council officials’ initial request for feedback circulated to a limited number of e-mail recipients, and on a couple of social network websites, responses were coming in at about one per hour on average by Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re trying to get our finger on the pulse of not only the taxpaying community, but especially among those who already went out in April and voted on the first budget [proposal],” Ms Jacob said. “We’re looking to give people every avenue to help us better understand how they felt about that first proposal, and how they feel about the general budget request overall.”

Anonymity Is OK

Ms Fetchick said the effort has already begun generating some criticism, particularly from those in the community who want to see the information posted publicly through various social networking avenues. But Ms Fetchick said she and Ms Jacob understand that many people are not interested in publicly expressing their opinions.

“We’ve been asked, why not just post this as a survey on the Internet? But I think there are a lot of people who believe if they post their true feelings about the budget they will be attacked,” Ms Fetchick said. “We have been told that this is why some people don’t come to meetings. And we also want to offer this opportunity for those who can’t come to meetings because they are too busy with work or family concerns.”

Ms Jacob said that while the identity of taxpayers who wish to remain anonymous will be protected, she is committed to bringing all the feedback to the full council otherwise “unfiltered,” and regardless of whether the second round referendum passes.

She said it was frustrating, year after year, to see about the same number of taxpayers turning out to vote on budgets.

“No matter how many ways we advertise or promote these referenda, the turnout remains relatively low,” she said.

Ms Fetchick said that in 2010, there was strong advocacy on the part of local PTAs to support the budget requests, but this year the PTAs have maintained low profiles ahead of the first failed referendum.

“I think the PTAs took a lot of heat last year after they came together to support the budget, and the superintendent came out against the proposal,” Ms Fetchick said. “After the PTAs came out in support, [Superintendent of Schools] Dr [Janet] Robinson said many times in public that the [2010] budget did not adequately support the school district.”

The feedback the pair has received so far is ranging from about 30 percent who say they generally want to see more money for local schools, to about 70 percent who express they want a flat budget or overall budget cut; that the town and school district should work to be more efficient; or those who say they do not feel their tax dollars are being spent wisely.

Ms Fetchick said she received some e-mails that prove some voters are unaware of the details of the budget proposals.

“I had one e-mail asking about why taxpayer dollars are used to support a donation to The Women’s Center of Danbury or other various nonprofits that serve our residents,” she said. “But in general we’re seeing a lot of residents saying they feel the economic pinch, not only locally but at the state level. And they are being hammered by high fuel and gasoline prices.”

No ‘End Game’

Ms Jacob said she and Ms Fetchick “didn’t have an end game in mind” when they launched their solicitation.

“We already know there are those who will criticize us, saying we’re doing this as a political ploy, but it’s not,” Ms Jacob said.

“Taxpayers should know that their council representatives are available and want to know what taxpayers really think,” Ms Fetchick added. “We want some feedback so we can move forward with more clarity.”

“I’ve got some e-mails saying they don’t believe their budget vote matters, and others suggesting further cuts down to the dollar and department,” Ms Jacob said. “The bottom line is we want to start people talking about their town budget so we can get more of them out to vote on May 17.”

Ms Fetchick agreed, saying such local budget votes are one of the last places the voice of the individual voter makes a difference.

“That’s why it’s important for them to come out and vote, regardless of their views,” she said. “And if they can give either or both of us a call, or drop us a quick e-mail, the information will be of great value to the council no matter what happens Tuesday.”

Taxpayers interested in casting absentee ballots can complete them at the town clerk’s office in the Newtown Municipal Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. The town clerk’s office will have special hours on Saturday, May 14, from 9 am to noon, for the sole purpose of absentee ballot voting on the above question.

Taxpayers interested in responding to the council officials’ solicitation for budget comments may contact Ms Jacob at mjacob4404@charter.net or 203-426-4404; Ms Fetchick can reached at kfetchick@charter.net or 203-270-9941.