The Town’s Moral Lapse

To the Editor:

It’s morally wrong for the selectmen to incur debt in the name of the town without the consent of the voters and to break their promises. Selectman Rosenthal expressed a similar opinion when he said moving forward with the high school expansion without including the alternatives like the expanded gym, artificially turfed stadium, and new track without being completely candid with the voters that all that was promised may not be included. Finance Chairman John Kortze wants the voters “to be in the loop” if more funds are required. (“NHS Expansion Project Could Be Millions Over Budget,” The Newtown Bee, 8/8/08.)

Strange. The previous administration promised citizens could vote on a master plan for Fairfield Hills. We thought they valued our opinion, but the selectmen ignored the vote, proceeded with their own plans, and spent the $21 million bond money as they wished. The Legislative Council (LC) created a Fairfield Hills Authority, appointed by the selectmen, to carry out the wishes of the Board of Selectmen, giving the selectmen absolute control of FFH. No place in this loop for citizens.

The selectmen allocated $10,533,242 for their town hall project, but only $6 million was so designated in the original estimate for town offices. They simply diverted bond funds from other FFH projects to complete the town hall project. They didn’t ask the voters for the extra money.

February 2, 2008, the selectmen signed a lease with Hawley Realty for Newtown Hall that obligated the town to pay all costs above $200,000 for hazardous materials abatement. Projected costs increased to $295,000; the town will pay $50,000 of the overrun. The lessee asked for a 90-day extension when the first payment of $325,000 came due July 1, 2008. The LC empowered the selectmen to override our charter’s requirement that voters must approve all leases of public property. Out of the loop again.

Before the FFH bond issue was approved, the selectmen promised seven new playing fields. Instead, they built one senior baseball diamond, but set aside no FFH land for others — no promised softball fields! September 17, 2007, the Newtown Youth Academy lease was signed; the town agreed to provide shared parking and utilities. Nine months later the selectmen have no money left, so they amended the lease and voted that the town will pay NYA $3.5 million at six percent interest to demolish Greenwich Hall and construct parking. No voter approval was sought. Utilities are going in via telephone poles. Yes, that’s morally wrong.

Mr Kortze is right; voters must always be “in the loop.” As reported, Councilwoman Po Murray has asked the Legislative Council to amend the FFH Authority Ordinance to institute a system of “checks and balances” that are essential in a democracy. She proposes an elected authority that would allow alternate plans to be aired, and she seeks fiscal control reform.

Will the council act to put the voters back “in the loop” or will authoritative government continue?

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                         August 13, 2008