The borough boundaries were not totally arbitrary. The borough was planned as one square mile. Nonetheless, all boundaries are arbitrary in some fashion. If Mr Schmidt lived on the Newtown-Bethel line logically he might argue that the boundary should be redrawn because his house is in Newtown, and Bethel’s taxes are less? Or perhaps because one doesn’t receive all benefits he believes he should only pay for what he receives directly. I haven’t used Hook and Ladder lately. Perhaps I shouldn’t have to pay for it? Perhaps he doesn’t want to pay for the schools either because he isn’t benefiting from them directly?

Moreover, according to the Schmidt logic since Newtown is a benefit to the State of Connecticut, we should dissolve the town and be managed by the state. For that matter, since Connecticut is a benefit to the country, we should dissolve the state and concede management to the federal government. The logic of course is absurd. Society has long recognized the benefit of geographical governments. Mr Schmidt moved into the borough fully aware of its existence. He now wants to dissolve it…like the individual who moves next to the airport, then wants to shut it down for everyone, but is happy to use it while it’s there. How unfair is it that many people moved into the borough relying on its protections so that one day they wouldn’t wake up next to a strip-mall. Is dissolution fair to them?

And the borough works on a thread of funds thanks to so many volunteers. I researched 30 years back…the mill rate was never lower (further, the borough mill rate is obviously significantly lower than the town mill rate as the Grand List is significantly smaller). For a property assessed at $300,000 the borough tax is about two tanks of gas. Plus, the borough adds value to residential property as the area has seen some of the highest average appreciations of property value in Newtown.

Also, upon inquiry, Mr Schmidt would have learned that there are not duplicative services that the town and borough both perform. The town provides certain services and the borough others. The town contributes to the operation of costs of the borough, for example through wetlands, insurance, etc, and the borough provides thousands of volunteer hours of services and micro-manages what one resident in this Bee profile referred to last week as “the soul” of the town and one of the main reasons for moving to Newtown (like many others).

Last, here is a list of streets where just some of the Borough volunteers live: The Boulevard, Grand Place, Hanover Road, Sugar Lane, Budd Drive, Main Street, West Street, Currituck Road, Glover Avenue, Elm Drive, South Main Street, Tamarack Road, Schoolhouse Hill Road, Mount Pleasant Terrace, Queen Street, and more.

I support all of Newtown, including the preservation of its “Pristine Early American Elegance.”

Thank you,

Joan Glover Crick

Sr Burgess

Board of Burgesses

Borough of Newtown

Glover Avenue, Newtown                                                 June 11, 2008