Long Range Planning Committee Conducts First Meeting

By John Voket

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal reported the Newtown Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee conducted its first meeting October 2. The nonpolicymaking panel currently includes residents Peter Marshall, Rep Julia Wasserman, Geoff Dent, Kathy Fetchick, Anna Wiedemann, Gerry Robilotti, and Michael Floros, although the group could expand based on its perceived needs.

In voting to form the committee and to provide it with its initial charge, the Board of Selectmen also empowered the group to create ad-hoc subcommittees, or suggest adding members as responsibilities increased or branched into specific areas of concern.

While the committee chose to not elect officers this week, Mr Rosenthal said members will likely entertain that responsibility at their next meeting.

“The members spent time going around talking about their backgrounds and ideas for the group,” Mr Rosenthal said. When asked about the expectation of output by one member, the first selectman said the long-range panel should aim for a final plan that is comprehensive, and has public buy-in because it incorporates public input along with other expert sources who may contribute to the final publication.

He said first, however, the panel should poll other communities including the few in Connecticut that have adopted similar plans to see how they are working, and if the plans have benefited the towns.

“They should look to any town, even outside of the state, that has a good plan,” Mr Rosenthal said, adding that members should also examine the process these select communities have followed to achieve a finished long-range plan.

According to the committee’s charge, the newly seated panel will act in advisory capacity to assist the Board of Selectmen to review and plan for the future needs of the town both as to personnel and facilities of the town beyond the approved five-year Capital Improvement Plan, looking out 10, 20 years or more.

The committee will be required to make quarterly reports of findings to the Board of Selectmen in person upon request.

Other initial responsibilities will include reviews of the current five-year CIP Regulations and Plan (as to Board of Finance methodology), the Town Plan of Conservation and Development, the local Strategic Plan of Economic Development, Newtown’s Open Space Plan, private consultant and State of Connecticut Demographic Projections for school enrollment, any buildout projections developed by the members of the Board of Finance and Legislative Council, and the Fairfield Hills Master Plan.

Group members may tap municipal staff contacts including the town financial director, community development and public works directors, as well as the superintendent of schools. They are encouraged to seek data from other regional and state sources including The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO), and even the National League of Cities, of which Newtown is a member.

Over the course of its planning and reporting phase, if deemed appropriate, the long-range committee is asked to consult with most of the town’s lead elected and appointed boards and commissions.

According to minutes of the meeting, the members detailed the following points of background, and their reasons for wanting to serve on the long-range panel:

Rep Wasserman said she is interested as a long time resident who has seen many changes, and is looking into the future.  At this point in time, her committee in the Legislature is reviewing the state’s long term planning efforts as well as regional planning agencies, of which there are 15 in the state.

Mr Dent is a 30 year resident.  His wife is currently a member of the Fairfield Hills Authority, and has served on the Legislative Council and the Board of Education. He has previously served on the Economic Development Commission.

Ms. Fetchick grew up in Newtown.  After returning from college, she was amazed at the growth that had occurred in town, and said she can see where that growth has pushed some agencies to the limit.  Ms Fetchick said she feels the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan is necessary, but the town needs to look further into the future. She is currently running for a seat on the Board of Education, and said she feels the school board could also benefit from long term capital planning.

Ms Wiedemann worked for the school system for twelve years and is also a Board of Education candidate this November.  She said the town has grown a lot and would like to see some planning beyond the five year CIP.

Mr Robilotti was associated with Danbury Hospital for 24 years including a stint as its president. He was involved with the hospital’s long range strategic planning.  He said there is a benefit and a deficit to long range planning, and feels Newtown needs to be cognizant of its aging population.

Mr Floros has lived in Newtown for 14 years.  He said he is interested in how the town continues to manage existing growth.  He served on the Fairfield Hills Advisory Committee and also on a previous Charter Revision Commission.

Mr Marshall retired and moved to Newtown eight years ago.  He serves on the Library Board of Trustees as Treasurer.