A Plan For Better Government

To the Editor:

Newtown has grown so much, and with it, so has the size of our government. Our annual budget has nearly doubled in the past ten years, going from $62 million in 1999 to $104 million this year. More alarming is the staggering increase in capital project requests into the CIP just this year. But as Newtown’s government has become the size of a large enterprise, we still run it like that of a small business. Bruce Walczak and I seek to implement a broad set of improvements and upgrades that will bring our government into the 21st Century. Our plan for better government is intended to improve efficiencies and to create an environment for exceptional results.

Planning: We will implement a planning and performance management system, where long-range planning becomes strategic, medium-range planning coordinates all town departments, and short-range planning strives for flawless implementation. Throughout the entire process, public involvement will let the people to decide the prioritization of projects and will ensure consensus, because government should serve the people. Everyone’s talking about planning lately, but until now it’s just been lip service. Clearly the implementation of any existing plans has been poor, as is demonstrated by the sudden surge in CIP requests to $123 million.

Oversight: Capital project oversight will be provided through the management of a strengthened Public Building & Site Commission. This commission by charter is assigned the responsibility to manage these projects because it has the people, the experience, the tools, and procedures required to get the job done. This would include projects at Fairfield Hills, which should be managed like any other town property — within the rules written in our charter and from a total town plan.

Financial Accounting and Management: Our plan calls for implementing modern financial accounting and management tools for all departments and capital projects. When we spend other people’s money, we need to account for every penny of it. Modern financial tools will allow for accurate tracking and analysis. Knowing where the money is being spent, and what value is being delivered will enable us to streamline efficiency. Spending that produces value can benefit from increased funding while spending that produces little value can expect decreased funding.

Economic Development: Our plan will combine the economic development efforts of the Fairfield Hills Authority with those of the Economic Development Commission, resulting in one comprehensive team focused on keeping existing businesses healthy while seeking to attract new ones with an appropriate return in investment.

Performance Management: Our plan calls for the establishment of a transparent townwide performance benchmarking management system to ensure that each town department delivers real value to the taxpayers by setting goals and scoring performance on the town website.

Our Plan for Better Government is not a radical plan, in fact, no private enterprise this size could survive without these management tools. Taxpayers are demanding more for their money, and if elected, IPN intends to deliver. Visit www.IPN2009.org

Bill Furrier

IPN Candidate for Board of Selectman

9 Erin Lane, Sandy Hook                                     September 30, 2009