The Public Has A Right To Know

To the Editor:

It’s a privilege to have served on the Board of Finance for the past ten years. After my announcement of a self-imposed ten-year term limit, I was approached to run for a position of second/third selectman. I decided to accept the nomination to perform town work that was beyond the reach of the Board of Finance. On the BOF, I advocated for fiscal responsibility, a ten percent cap on debt service, and a return of our schools to blue–ribbon status. Now more than ever we need a return to reason, where leadership involves working with citizens and fellow board and commission members to move the town forward.

As a member of the Board of Selectmen I have three immediate goals:

First, as I have long espoused, I would like to direct monthly financial reporting of all Fairfield Hills activities to the Board of Finance, as well as the Board of Selectmen. This can be done by BOS directive, or charter revision. I agree with Chris Lyddy, the ordinance/charter as it pertains to Fairfield Hills can be respectfully reviewed, clarified, and improved. The town and BOE report to the BOF and Legislative Council, there is no reason why FFH shouldn’t, too.

Second, we need to unify the town-Munis and BOE-Phoenix computer systems to account for all work, work time, and work costs shared by the town side and the BOE side. For example, Parks and Rec does significant work for the schools, the schools likewise for the town. There are many other examples of shared work, between the town, schools, and FFH. We need to know the exact costs to each department. Without this, there is no “natural divide” between town and education budget funds. No matter what one’s opinion about a bifurcated budgets, we can’t move forward with that discussion unless we have the capability to discern the costs.

Finally, a zero percent increase in the town-side budget should be our objective. No question, this will be difficult. Only working together can we succeed! The town-side budget already has a two percent increase due to scheduled wage, insurance, and debt service increases. The town-side budget is $37 million; a two percent increase is a $750,000 increase. For hypothetical purposes, if the owner-operator bus fiasco of $4 million additional costs is split over two years, half to the BOE and half to the BOS (just for argument sake), then we need another $1 million along with the $750,000 = $1.75 million cut. Add the Furrier/Murray IPN 2½ percent reduction they propose equals another $925,000 (total $2,675,000 cuts). Gutting Public Works, Parks and Recreation, the library and Youth Services would still not come close to a $2.675,000! Fund balance is already too low for bonding agencies; to take from there would jeopardize our bond ratings and risk significant debt service increases. IPN says they have a “plan” but won’t disclose specifics.

The public has a right to know, and not at the last minute after it’s too late to fully scrutinize. Instead, Vote Reason! Vote Honesty!

Please see www.newtownctdemocrats.org and Facebook.

Jim Gaston, Sr

18 Main Street, Newtown                                    September 27, 2011