Keying in on a subject that has a potential to divide certain groups in any community, local Republicans have released the next in a series of white papers focusing in on balancing future spending.

The GOP in recent local election years has made a practice of developing informational position reports, the latest release focuses on why past and future spending plans are multifaceted and encompass all Newtown residents — not just one issue or one demographic.

According to the local GOP, ensuring the town is adequately funding education in order to facilitate student success, “is the best way to create bright future opportunities for them. At the same time we need to ensure the money we spend is where it most benefits them specifically: exceptional teachers and staff, services to increase their success, and a safe and secure learning environment.”

To ensure taxpayer dollars are not being wasted on unnecessary items, local Republicans believe it is important to review both services and facilities for duplication, efficiencies, and outdated methods.

“Republicans think it is imperative to continue the conversation about consolidation of duplicate services, declining enrollment and efficiencies, and focusing resources as close to the classroom as possible,” the position paper states.

The party is also promoting an idea of making Newtown a place that welcomes all demographics, provides services that support everyone’s needs and has housing to match, including for new and expanding commercial enterprises.

“We believe in providing a more planned and appropriate business friendly environment that will not only supply jobs to many of our residents but also produce additional tax revenue that will offset the residential tax burden,” the GOP paper states. “Republicans believe we need to ensure our business climate allows businesses to develop, grow and thrive. Newtown has begun to turn the corner in being more appropriately business friendly that will benefit everyone by helping to balance our grand list and by making Newtown a vibrant community.”

The report also points out an Economic and Community Development Office forecast that welcomes 12 new and expanded businesses to town in the near future that will provide approximately $2.271 million in additional tax revenue — much which can be attributed to Newtown’s updated tax deferring Business Incentive Plan.

The paper notes a number of other, more subtle quality of life initiatives happening across town, and benefiting all residents, including:

*Initiating a blighted property ordinance that Republicans say has been instrumental in cleaning up and making properties safe so that they can be returned to the tax rolls.

*Applying for state and federal grants to clean up brownfields also provides a means to return properties to the tax rolls.

*Installing sewers as a mechanism to create a greater opportunity in some locations for commercial development.

The paper touts the demolition of a vacant, blighted building on Church Hill Road long considered to be an eyesore — clearing one of the “Visual Gateways” into Newtown; and a $150,000 grant from the Department of Economic and Community Development for the brownfield redevelopment of the Batchelder property located in the Botsford business district.

The GOP paper then focuses on Hawleyville and its so-called “Medical Mile,” which will have two new medical buildings, a professional office building and future housing related to the Grace Christian Church – all of which were made possible because sewers were installed in the area.

The report goes on to tick off nearly a dozen and a half other commercial projects in various stages of development across town, as well as improvements slated for Dickinson Park, Eichler’s Cove, the Booth Library, and Edmond Town Hall, as well as a significant improvement project at the aging high school auditorium.

“Our future is bright and all of these projects are made possible through our modified land use policies, our strong economic development team, our strong town board leadership and coordinated efforts of current and future business owners,” the paper concludes. “This is all a balancing act and being able to control spending, reduce debt, increase commercial property development, partner with business owners, and borrow at lower rates are all critical components.”

The paper closes committing local GOP officials to keeping “the big picture in mind and check in regularly with all of our citizens regardless of their demographic,” and addressing “difficult issues and act on behalf of the entire community.”