An Opinion Survey Is No Substitute For A Town Referendum

To the Editor:

A new town hall has not been approved by the taxpayers of Newtown. The taxpayers of Newtown have never approved a master plan for Fairfield Hills.

Claims by the selectmen that they have the power and authority to proceed without the approval of a town referendum are distasteful. We, the taxpayers, authorized the purchase of Fairfield Hills with the understanding that we would be able to approve any proposed master plan. A master plan was proposed and was rejected by the people of Newtown. Instead of proposing a master plan that could win approval and legitimacy in a town referendum, the selectmen have altered the process so their plans are no longer subject to review by the taxpayers of Newtown. This is wrong. There needs to be a town referendum.

In the wake of voter rejection of the master plan that was actually put forward for a town referendum, the selectmen decided further voting would not help them to understand the sentiments of the voters. So, to understand the sentiments of the voters the selectmen eliminated further voting. They replaced our democratic process with an opinion survey. This is wrong. A survey is no substitute for a town referendum. There needs to be a town referendum.

Sincerely,

Thomas & Darlene McKirdy

2 Loveland Drive, Sandy Hook                           December 27, 2006