Why Your Finance Board Vote Matters

To the Editor:

The Board of Finance (BoF) plays a key role in the development of Newtown’s operating budget and capital spending plans. Despite “advisory” status, it has broad powers to manage these requests and the Legislative Council cannot simply ignore its determinations. For example, in order to restore budget cuts recommended by the BoF, a two-thirds majority of the council is required.

Appropriations for projects such as new buildings or infrastructure repairs require BoF approval via the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). BoF regulations define this as “a process by which the Board of Finance identifies, prioritizes, evaluates, justifies, monitors, postpones or eliminates proposed capital expenditures.” That’s a broad and powerful mandate.

The BoF is currently developing its proposed CIP for the next five years. Last week, they received the Board of Education’s $44 million project list, including the much needed middle school roof and Hawley School HVAC requests. Next week, the town presents a separate $80 million list of requests, including $30 million in new items for Fairfield Hills. The BoF must marry these two lists into a single prioritization, cutting whatever it believes, in its estimation, the town can’t afford or simply won’t support .

In making cuts, how does the BoF decide between the two lists? BoF members have suggested that those developing the school and town side requests meet to discuss their proposals jointly before submitting them to the board. Taking this one step further, I asked the BoF at their last meeting if it made more sense to have a single process for the town and schools combined, avoiding the “apples to oranges” problem of two separate lists altogether.

As often happens when an IPN member questions the status quo, I received a lecture on the spot followed by a letter in The Bee criticizing me personally. My brief question was deemed “a speech” and I was said to advocate BoF members “personally attacking one another.” How ridiculous.

The letter also claimed I confused the CIP and the “long-term political planning process.” I am well aware of the difference, but they are related. Newtown’s planning is fragmented and infrequent. That’s not the BoF’s fault, but it’s remarkable that they have not more strongly advised reform. If we had a single comprehensive, up-to-date plan evaluating the needs of the schools and the town (including Fairfield Hills), the BoF’s CIP prioritization would be greatly facilitated.

This problem is perfectly illustrated by the sudden materialization of $30 million in new requests for Fairfield Hills. These projects could easily have been anticipated. Leaving them out of our planning undermined the relevance of previous years’ CIP deliberations.

I am proud to be one of two IPN candidates for the BoF this year. This is the first time that voters will have more than six choices for the six BoF seats. IPN offers new leadership with a focus on comprehensive planning to build a consensus regarding the direction of our town. I hope you will consider supporting us this November.

Sincerely,

Ben Roberts

IPN Candidate for Board of Finance

19 Farrell Road, Newtown                                   September 22, 2009