To the Editor:

I’ve gone back and forth on the November 8 referendum question that will ask voters to consider eliminating the Board of Finance (BOF) from the charter. With the BOF dissolved, oversight of the town budget and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) would essentially be left to the Legislative Council.

I am serving my first term on the Legislative Council for District 1. Prior to that I was an elected member of the BOF, so I have participated in the budget and CIP review process from both sides.

Two weeks ago, I went on record at a LC Ordinance Committee meeting saying that I favored dissolving the BOF. My opinion was narrowly focused on the redundancies of having two bodies (the BOF and LC) perform largely the same tasks, such as approving grants, managing the CIP, and scrutinizing town and education spending. This system bogs down our government and results in more meetings, drawing out deliberations and creating inefficiencies.

But being open-minded, I have continued to speak to numerous people about the BOF question, including fellow elected officials, town employees, voters, and those whose opinions I really value. I have carefully weighed all sides and concluded it is in Newtown’s best interests to keep the BOF.

What is the alternative to the BOF?

There isn’t one right now. We have talked in the LC Ordinance Committee about having the first selectman or LC appoint a panel of financial experts to advise the LC on money matters. I do like this idea in theory, but I worry about any one person or group hand-picking people and removing all decision-making from the voters. Historically we have had (and still do have) very capable people serving on the BOF.

They deliberate independently and generally with a bipartisan tone to help structure a financial plan not only for the next budget year, but for the decade ahead. This is critical, especially at a time when our finances are under extreme pressure due to inflation and rising interest rates. The more eyes we have on our finances the better.

Is our system of government as efficient as it could be with the BOF in place? Not by a long shot, but by keeping the BOF in the charter we create an opportunity to expand its role beyond simply being another layer of our government. Prior BOFs have done deep dives into important proposals like the creation of a municipal self-funded health insurance program which has saved taxpayers money over the past decade. With tip fees for recycling pickup currently at an all-time high, perhaps the BOF could assist the Recycling Committee in exploring ways to manage costs.

I have been open to changing my opinion and will be voting “No” on November 8 to eliminate the BOF. These comments represent my own opinion and not the Legislative Council of which I am an elected member.

Respectfully,

Chris Gardner

Newtown