Halt Plans For A New Town Hall

To the Editor:

My fellow citizens, do not be distracted by the unresponsive comments of our first selectman in his letter to The Bee of December 4. Two nights ago I attended a Board of Finance meeting where the BoF labored mightily on our behalf to eliminate and postpone much needed capital projects in order to remain below our ten percent cap of bonding debt to revenues. It was indeed painful but necessary to do in order for us to remain committed to fiscal discipline by our town government. I commend the BoF for their thoroughness and fairness in doing a most difficult task. Especially noteworthy was member Jim Gaston’s in-depth research and realistic extrapolations of what the future will hold.

Mr Rosenthal in his December 4 letter continues to find all of the reasons one can muster to “justify” a most irresponsible, in light of our other priorities, rush to build his new town hall regardless of the increasingly vocal calls for an immediate moratorium on any further actions to commit further monies to this not affordable edifice to his vision of the future. He said in his letter, “I don’t know where Mr Mangiafico found the erroneous figures about the cost of leasing at Kendro…” Mr Rosenthal, as the CEO of this town people expect you to be aware of pertinent options to spending $11 million of our money when other most needed projects are being shelved because you are determined to have your new town hall. I have in my possession a 14-page Cushman & Wakefield marketing brochure dated October 23, 2006, concerning 31 Peck’s Lane (the Kendro property) which has much detailed information on the property. The very first page, which is an overview, states that “81,675 sq ft available for additional town occupancy, or industrial leased space @ $6.18 sq ft …” (emphasis added). So much for “erroneous.”

Let us not become antagonistic and defensive when the public work needs to be done. Many individual have spoken and written simply, eloquently and passionately about their great concern in spending $11 million for a new town hall when we have such a pressing need for not only many sorely needed school projects but also town projects that are so much more important.

People want and expect their leaders to lead. Our first selectman is our CEO and commander-in-chief in this ongoing battle to balance the true needs of our people with our ability to spend. The reward of command is not that one sleeps in a bigger tent (bigger more luxurious office). It is the command itself with all its obligations to put the “troops” first.

The BoF has deleted and pared many worthwhile requests and postponed many others such as the recommended size of the high school expansion, the Hawley School project, police building improvements, fire facilities, park and recreation items, etc, etc. But while all this was being done, Herb’s new town hall for $11 million moves forward because “it is the will of the people.” Really!?

I call upon our first selectman to exercise his truly significant and capable leadership qualities to hear the dissent and do the right thing. I call upon our council members and selectmen to assist and insist in doing the right thing: Immediately halt any further moves to bond or commit to a town hall at FFH until all needs can be prioritized for the good of all of us. As Ruby Johnson said in her letter date December 13 on this subject to The Bee “…our elected officials…should listen carefully now. November 2007 elections are looming.”

Sincerely

Paul J. Mangiafico

15 Kent Road, Newtown              December 20, 2006