A Time for

Reflection

To the Editor:

Now that the Newtown budget has finally passed on its third vote, it is time to step back and assess our town’s current situation. Here are some observations and wishes regarding this painful budget approval process:

1. Never have I seen the citizens of Newtown more polarized than by the recent series of budget votes. Anyone who read last Friday’s letters to the editor could see an equally divided and impassioned town;

2. While the third budget vote passed by only 192 votes, hardly a mandate, I sincerely hope that these voters are not referred to as being “statistically insignificant”;

3. I would appreciate it if the Board of Education would provide the voting public with the results of the recent fall NEASC report on Newtown High School. In viewing the NEASC’s website, there are currently no Connecticut high schools on probation. The only two school formerly on probation, one in Plainfield and one in Waterbury, have been removed from the probation list. Both of these towns have financial situations much more dire than Newtown. According to the most recently published information by the State of Connecticut, Waterbury has median income and home values of $34,285 and $101,300, respectively; Plainfield has median income and home values of $42,851 and $106,900, respectively. Newtown, by comparison, has median income and home values of $90,193 and $260,900, respectively, both well in excess of these other two towns. Also, if you read NEASC’s “Standards for Accreditation,” it is difficult if not impossible to imagine that Newtown High School was ever seriously in danger of losing its status as an accredited school.

4. Finally, now is the time, not a year from now, for the first selectman, the Board of Finance, the Board of Education, and the Legislative Council to make aggressive plans to pursue the economic development of both the town and of Fairfield Hills. I call for our elective officials to provide the Newtown taxpayers with a comprehensive 2007 budget within 30 days, reflecting projected expenses, business revenues, and residential taxes. If our officials are unable to complete this task, I would respectively ask that they tender their resignations to allow for a special election to elect a group of officials more in step with the needs and desires of Newtown residents.

Phil Dinielli

9 Copper Creek Circle, Newtown                                     May 31, 2006