Hitting The Wall

With Property Taxes

To the Editor:

As I write this I do not know the outcome of the fourth budget referendum but am disappointed with where our town government is today. The response from many in leadership was tell taxpayers we are wasting $9,000 with each ballot; just rubberstamp our tax bill. Next was what appeared to be the threat of added costs to pay for borrowing for the continuing of services. What appears to be missed here is the need for a government with a business sense. Anyone in business could have seen this brick wall coming. You cannot raise prices (or costs) five percent or six percent every year.

Many companies today will allow for a budget increase in line with inflation and then require its management to either offset it by two-plus percent in productivity improvements or increased revenue. Numerous workers have not had pay raises over the past several years, had to pay more of their medical costs, and some even seen their pay cut. We need change.

For instance consider Fairfield Hills, a real white elephant. It’s an ideal place for an office park, industrial or commercial complex. We should be considering selling it or leasing it long term to a commercial development company. It and the property near Exit 9 offers great access to I-84 with little traffic congestion on our local streets. Rather than this use, it will become a site for a municipal building. So instead of generating revenue, it will become another tax burden.

If we need more government office space, why not consider leasing the Grand Union building. Great location, next to the middle school. Ample parking. Basically a box that will accommodate plenty of cubicles. It won’t cost $10 million. And why not consider requiring all new development to set aside property for playgrounds, soccer fields, hiking trails, etc located in the neighborhoods.

Likewise if school spacing is a problem maybe we should consider going to year-round classes. This is done in many communities around the country when classroom space becomes an issue. It maximizes the use of our public buildings, reduces building footprints and very common with all higher educational institutions. Another area to consider is removing the buses from the school budget and allowing parents to contact for the services as needed. This is very common in California and other areas.

There are other areas such as the Pootatuck River, which is a diamond in the rough. Rivers create a sense of life and adventure, and commerce. Riverwalks have become areas of recreation, entertainment, dining, and shopping. One only needs to go look at what Naperville, Ill., has done with their riverwalk. Or if you want to dream, look at what San Antonio has done with theirs.

The real point is we have hit the wall with property taxes. Five and six percent property tax increases year, after year, after year will not cut it. We need fresh thinking. Come on Newtown, where is that good old New England Colonial thinking?

Warren Hoppmeyer

23 Cobblers Mill Road, Sandy Hook                                June 6, 2007