Hawley Renovation Cost Overruns Overrun Again

To the Editor:

At a July 18 Board of Education Meeting, Superintendent Evan Pitkoff stated that the $3.3 million originally approved and budgeted for the Hawley School renovations would be insufficient. The new projection at that time increased the total cost of this project at $4.5 million, an over 36 percent increase.

At the recent Board of Education meeting on September 6, the board agreed to move forward with this project requesting a total of $5.46 million, over 165 percent more that the amount originally approved.

Mr. Bienkowski stated that there are often hidden “surprises” that add hidden costs to the project as it proceeds. Mr Gissen stated that he understood that such cost overruns were part and parcel to renovation projects of this nature. Mr Nanavaty stated that, “It’s important that we look at these figures.” I would think that looking at the numbers is probably a good idea. My question is where is the accountability? Where is the shame and embarrassment? Where is the apology to the Newtown taxpayers for this $2.2 million error? I can understand now why the BOE discussed at this meeting reducing the number of times they would have to face the residents of Newtown from two meetings to one.

It would be curious to see what would happen if a Newtown taxpayer made a $2.2 million mistake at work and than turned around and asked their boss for a 165 percent pay raise. I know this sounds crazy, but is it really any different than what the board is asking of us?

Phil Dinielli

9 Copper Creek Circle, Newtown                          September 9, 2005