Shift Priority Items

To Authorized FFH Spending

To the Editor:

The 2007–2012 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) recently approved by the Board of Finance contains $7.1 million for two projects for Fairfield Hills: $6.8 million for a Park & Recreation Center/Community Center/Senior Center/pool and $300,000 for lights at a baseball field.

I believe these two projects should be funded through the $15 million yet to be expended from the $21 million bond issue for Fairfield Hills, rather than bonding an additional $7.1 million above and beyond the money already authorized by the taxpayers. A Community/Rec Center was one of the projects originally recommended in the Reuse Plan for Fairfield Hills that supported the town’s purchase of the property.

Doing this provides an opportunity to accelerate necessary repairs to our elementary schools within the CIP by up to two years and still remain within the budget parameters set by the Board of Finance and the Legislative Council.

I have submitted a suggested CIP to the Legislative Council that illustrates how this might be accomplished. Anyone interested in receiving it can request it by sending an email to WECANewtown@aol.com. The Legislative Council may act as early as January 17 to approve the CIP.

We are faced with a significant price tag to address important infrastructure improvements for recreational needs, a senior center, and our schools. It seems that the most appropriate financial course of action is to use as much of the Fairfield Hills bond money as possible for top community priorities. I believe the Park & Recreation Center/Community Center/Senior Center/pool and baseball field, both Fairfield Hills projects, fall under that category.

If after these projects are funded, more funds are required to construct a new town hall at Fairfield Hills, then the Fairfield Hills Authority and the Board of Selectmen can submit the town hall for consideration in the CIP process. It can then be measured against the educational infrastructure repair projects and the recreational needs of the community, as well as other requests. After a thorough review, if our elected officials believe it to be a worthwhile project, then funds can be placed in the CIP and brought to the Legislative Council, and ultimately the voters, for approval.

If you care about these issues, now is the time for your voice to be heard.

Sincerely,

Gary Davis

Member of We Care About Newtown

23 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                        January 8, 2007