To the Editor:

I completely disagree with backroom politics and believe that the major motion made at the Legislative Council on 3/29 was not created that morning. Meeting attendees recognized obvious "tells" during this motion, which made it apparent that this idea was not news to several board members. I believe that this type of motion, beyond sharing the "What if" scenarios, would have better served the taxpayers if the LC did not rush to vote. Considerate officials would have allowed residents the opportunity to ask questions and better understand such a significant motion before their vote, as we will need to make tough decisions at the referendum. The execution of this specific motion has left taxpayers confused, concerned, and questioning the intent. Again, a lack of transparency and willingness to engage with residents may put our referendum success in jeopardy. Unfortunately, trust in our elected officials is diminishing during such a critical and turbulent fiscal situation.

If, and that is a big if, the LC motion is to be trusted, then making the BOE [Board of Education] and the education budget whole is a not a bad option.

With the $1 million adjustment for the grant already considered, I then question the need for $800,000 in additional proposed reductions to the BOE budget. While the decreases theoretically do not impact the students, programs, or instruction, are they truly necessary since the "backroom" motion was made? How does delaying inevitable maintenance benefit our children or the taxpayers? We know that delays always result in incremental costs when they are finally completed. Delaying "Pay to Play" changes? We should have ended this long ago. Not fully supporting the pension fund as advised? This carries long-term risk.

The state aid reductions remain unknown to all. Will the mill rate be set at the "right" amount after the referendum or will we be overtaxed? If the mill rate is set too high due to low state aid expectations, the "rainy day" fund balance will continue to increase. If the uncertainty of state aid is not a "rainy day" circumstance, then what is? Will we be undertaxed and all be issued another tax bill in a few months? The unknowns are so great, which make the LC actions leading up to this referendum seem disingenuous. Trust and communication have never been more important and I feel like our leaders are failing us.

Lastly, with all the unknowns, is it the right time to be discussing the additional referendum ballot items? Certainly, these CIP projects are necessary: the Hawley roof, high school auditorium, middle school work, and the police department. However, with our new charter, couldn't these projects have been approved by our elected officials? So why are they on the ballot? With the added taxpayer confusion regarding the community center discussions at the Board of Selectman meetings, is it the appropriate time to be voting on the much-needed senior center to be attached? Are Newtown's elected officials correctly prioritizing the needs of our community?

Sincerely,

Karyn Holden

68 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook         April 5, 2017