To the Editor:http://ecode360.com/15288387. Some projects, dictated by our Town Charter, go to referendum and others do not. A change in the referendum approval dollar amounts approved at referendum last year allow voters a greater voice in these projects going forward. While Mr Rosenthal seems to favor sending this particular item to referendum, the process should not be changed randomly based on personal preference, but follow the regulations and our Town Charter.

I am writing in response to Dan Rosenthal's letter titled "An Untimely Paving Project?" in this week's [online, May 23] Letter Hive. The letter shows some confusion about the Capital Improvement and budgeting process.

The Capital Improvement process begins with a five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that is reviewed annually by the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen for their individual projects before being reviewed by the Board of Finance and the Legislative Council. The regulation that informs this process can be found on the town website by following this link:

The paving project for Treadwell Park has been in the Capital Improvement pipeline for a number of years, working its way forward in the traditional way. The total cost is $550,000. The budget approved by the voters last month includes the first year debt payment and interest payment totaling $40,000. This payment will decline over time and will likely be paid off in less than 20 years, as is the town practice; assuming we continue our strong financial processes. This was the last project in last year's CIP that was approved on December 16, 2015, to be funded before June 30, 2017. As reported during the Legislative Council meeting this past week, the project was held for funding approval through the Special Appropriation process until the budget was approved by the voters to ensure they supported the money requested in all areas and no further reductions would be made.

This project provides for important safety enhancements as well as additional, much needed parking. It increases the size of the turnaround area near the pool and increases total parking in the whole area by 65 parking spaces, allowing staff to park away from the main area, leaving more space for residents. While we need to scrutinize every dollar we spend, we must also invest wisely in the infrastructure and services in our community. This project does that.

Comparisons to the changes made in the upcoming budget cause confusion mixing two years' processes and approvals. The budget approved last month by the voters also makes balanced choices in order to meet the upcoming challenges the state is likely to force upon us. We continue to invest wisely in our community while being cautious about spending.

As chairman of the council, I would encourage you to review the regulations and meeting notes for further information. Please know that the opinions shared in this letter are my own.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Jacob

65 Mohawk Trail, Sandy Hook         May 24, 2017