The Board of Finance held a public hearing on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 in the Middle School Auditorium, Queen Street, Newtown, CT. Chairman John Kortze opened the hearing at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston, Martin Gersten, Joseph Kearney, Michael Portnoy, Harrison Waterbury.
ALSO PRESENT: First Selectman Joseph Borst, Financial Director Ben Spragg, Schools Superintendent Dr. Janet Robinson, Schools Director of Business Ron Bienkowski, members of the Board of Education and Legislative Council, approximately ten members of public, one member of press.
Mr. Kortze explained that the purpose of the public hearing is to solicit public input on any items for the upcoming budget.
Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road, is not opposed to lights on the Fairfield Hills ballfield. She is opposed to asking people for more money until all the bond money has been spent. She said that the bond issued in 2001 called for $600,000 for High School fields which cost more than that. She said lights at the playing fields at Fairfield Hills were not to exceed $1.4 million. Nagy Brothers was paid $522,000 for site work and there should be money left to illuminate the fields. She said that Mr. Borst does not have a letter from Robinson and Cole stating that the $300,000 from the bond issue should not be used. She asked if the Board of Finance has seen such a letter and suggests this might be imaginary. She said that according to Fairfield Hills Authority minutes said that the Authority intended to have
lights on the field. She asked the Board of Finance to look into expenditures before we move forward.
Bob Merola, 22 Ashford Lane, is opposed to the budget as presented. An increase of 7% is not reasonable. He is opposed to the High School addition as proposed because of the school population and the NEASC requirements. He distributed “NHS Enrollment Analysis” (Attachment A to original minutes). He noted that from SY 04-05 through SY 06-07 there were a total of 122 fewer students in June than in the fall of each year. For this year the Bothwell mid projection was 1797 and the actual 1719. He objects to the charts that show housing starts in the 1400 range because the Building Department statistics total 340 from 2003 through 2007. There were none in January 2008. He objects to the projections for the High School because there is no justification for the numbers. He said that there are no NEASC for
athletics but that $7 million is in the budget for athletics. He does commend the superintendent for her proposals concerning
the Technology Department.
Patrick O’Connell, 11 Avalon Way, said that this budget proposal goes nowhere in this economy and has a zero chance of passing. There are 365 days in the year but only 180 days in the school year so that there are 50% on the table for education days. It is irrational to propose this expansion of the High School without using such a calendar. Children do not have to go home to help their parents on the farms anymore. He said that $4 million for the police equals $100,000 for 40 policemen which is too much for this sleepy little town. We have computers for town employees so we should not have an employee at every single desk. A four day work structure should be considered. We are asking the taxpayers to pony up more money. Massachusetts casinos will take away 35% of the revenue Connecticut gets from the
Mohegans. Interest carrying costs of $3-4 million is money out the door. Go to the end and work the way up. This is irresponsible.
Ben Roberts, 19 Farrell Road, said that capital and operating expenses should be explained separately. Do we need the space or do we need to expand the High School. People only look at the top line number. Services may have to be cut. People are not participating because they are not being given information. The IPN scanned the Board of Education budget book onto its website. Try to move towards a process where the Town entities create a flow of information. He feels that the website is perfect for this. He feels that $97,000 for technology at Bridgeport Hall could come out of the Fairfield Hills appropriation. If we feel that a purchasing manager would pay for himself why not make the move. Bond rating and a 10% cap should not drive decisions.
Mr. Kortze said that the budget process is very long and that many Town employees on the Boards of Education and Selectmen side spent a lot of time coming up with their budgets. All of that process is public and meetings are public. Minutes are available. The Board of Finance, though it is not its responsibility or purview, has come a long way in getting information up on the web and I think the Town should be commended for that. Mr. Kortze said that concerning the Fairfield Hills Authority and our purview, my comment was that I would ask the question as to what our overview and oversight would be and I have and am waiting for an answer. Each Board has a role to fulfill and other boards have to respectful of their role and their Charter-given responsibilities and authority.
Mr. Kortze asked if there were other members of the public who wished to speak before elected officials. Being none, Mrs. Murray of the Legislative Council wished to speak.
Po Murray, 38 Charter Ridge Drive, Suggests making information available. Identify each item in the bond issue. She echoes Mr. Roberts’ comments. Public officials should improve communications with the public. There is not much information going to the Town about the budget process and she feels that this will be a problem. She commends the Legislative Council for forming a Public Relations and Communications Subcommittee and encourages the Board of Finance to join them in making information available to the public.
Mary Ann Jacob, 65 Mohawk Trail, represents the Sandy Hook PTA who voted unanimously to support the budget proposed by the Board of Education, commends Dr. Robinson for managing this budget process and recognizes the importance of passing the budget on the first time. Do not take money out of the budget.
John Aurelia, 83 Castle Hill Road, is a member of the Legislative Council. He said that Po Murray does not speak for the Legislative Council and does not represent us. He said that when he speaks to people he does not speak as a member of the Legislative Council but as a concerned advocate for the seniors. Again, he reiterated that Po Murray does not speak for the Legislative Council.
The hearing was closed at 8:20 p.m.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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