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The Board of Finance held a Public Hearing on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 7:00 p.m in the Lecture Hall of the Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook, CT to hear public comments on the proposed 2009/2010 budget.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston, Martin Gersten, Joseph Kearney, Michael Portnoy and Harrison Waterbury.
ALSO PRESENT: Approximately 40 members of the public and two members of the press.
John Kortze called the Public Hearing to order at 7:07 p.m. The meeting is dictated by Charter and the purpose is for the Board of Finance to hear public input. The meeting is not for questions and answers. Mr. Kortze suggested anybody interested in emailing him questions can do that and he will either answer the questions or get the email to somebody who can answer the questions. Mr. Kortze reported that five meetings have been scheduled and posted for March 2, March 5, March 9, March 11 and March 12 to be held in the Newtown High School Lecture Hall to focus more so on the municipal and Board of Education budget. All meetings will be televised and out of respect for the students taping the meetings, the meetings will end at 9:30 p.m. The focus of the 3/2 and 3/9 meetings will be the
Board of Selectmen budget, the 3/5 and 3/11 meetings will focus on the Board of Education budget. March 12 is scheduled as an extra meeting just in case one is needed. Refer to the town website, www.newtown-ct.gov for the schedule of meetings. This meeting will be solely to hear comments on the budget, it is not the forum to take up personal or political issues or to discuss contractual obligations.
Sarah Beier, 7 Yogananda Street, Sandy Hook, stated that the Newtown High School PTSA voted and supports the Board of Education budget as it is now. Ms. Beier thanked the students and the people responsible for helping televise the meeting.
Lisa Wallace, 43 Mile Hill South, Newtown, spoke in support of the Board of Education budget and has grave concern about the loss of teachers. Ms. Wallace noted the budget is incredibly lean and more teachers will be lost if there is more required to be cut because there is nothing left to cut. That will increase the number of children in each classroom. Major changes can occur in a child’s life due to the tough economic times and teachers will be asked to do more in the next couple of years than their traditional roles. Ms. Wallace asked that the budget remain, at least as is, and no further cuts are asked to be made.
Mary Ann Jacobs, 65 Mohawk Trail, Sandy Hook, thanked the Board of Finance for holding the public hearing and noted she was at the meeting representing the Middle School PTA as their President and the Reed School PTA as their Advocacy Chair. Both of those PTA’s have overwhelmingly voted to support the budget as presented. An informed, thoughtful decision has to made about what the budget should provide and whether there is an ability to support those items. Ms. Jacobs praised Dr. Robinson actions in presenting a responsible Board of Education budget. When a wage freeze agreement could not be realized Dr. Robinson was able to achieve similar savings by furloughing teachers for six days, resulting in three less half day of school and a decrease in wages for many teachers. The
school day is purposed to be lengthened by five minutes which will result in an overall increase in teaching time. Ms. Jacobs recognized the Board of Selectmen has trimmed all but the most necessary spending in the municipal budget. The result is a presented combined budget with an overall decrease of $282,000 or .27%. This budget provides needed services for all areas of the community while being mindful of the current economic conditions. The presented budgets are reasonable and lean. The voters want the opportunity to vote for this budget with the current level of services.
Jeanette Miller, 146 Taunton Hill Road, Newtown has been living in Newtown and teaching at the high school for fifteen years. Each year the Superintendent has presented a responsible budget that balances the needs of the schools with the ability of the homeowners to foot the bill. Dr. Robinson has taken extraordinary measures to maintain this balance. Homes are the only assets remaining for many. Do not assume everybody is looking for tax cuts. Some may vote against budget because of tax concerns. Many will vote for the presented budget because good schools and a good community protect the value of homes. When the budget is cut by the Boards, without a clear directive from the voters to do so, it sends a dismal and demoralizing message to teachers and students. As a
department head at the high school Ms. Miller sees how much time and energy is devoted to students, not just during school hours but before and after school, in the evenings and on the weekends. The young people of Newtown appreciate their teachers and how proud they are of the schools. Newtown’s most important asset is the children and their futures. Teachers give their time freely. Ms. Miller asked the Board to accept the presented budget and allow the voters to communicate through the ballot.
Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook said she didn’t know much about the Board of Education budget but is impressed by the speakers and is also impressed with the scores achieved and noted in flier. Ms. Johnson supports the Board of Education budget because she feels it is her duty to support education as a citizen. Ms. Johnson noted that it took the Town many years to come up with funds to help autistic, deaf and blind children. It took twelve years in Newtown for girls to be allowed to play similar sports after the Civil Rights Restoration Act was passed. Ms. Johnson has serious questions on the Selectmen budget focusing on Fairfield Hills. $250,000 a year is being paid back to the Newtown Youth Academy if they go forward with a $3.5 million project to take down a
building to put in parking. Ms. Johnson stated this should’ve been done out of the $20 million bond issue. Ms. Johnson also has issue with a planned contract with DeMarco Management to manage the new town hall for $232,000 a year. Ms. Johnson believes there are highway department and school buildings and grounds employees that can take care of managing the new town hall. Look carefully at expenditures. Ms. Johnson encouraged the Board to support the Board or Education budget, as the kids are the future of the country but give the Selectmen a hard time.
Gail Lynch, 72 Mile Hill Rd. South, Newtown is a teacher in Reed Intermediate School and has taught in town for twenty years. Ms. Lynch thanked the Board of Finance for the job that they do. Newtown’s education is the pride of the citizens for years despite that fact that it is far below the rest of the state in per pupil staff expenditures spending $6100 per student when the state norm is $7100. Newtown differs in numbers of staff to students, with a climbing number of students in classrooms. Newtown needs to invest in education, it costs money to educate their young. It is not necessary to ask teachers, who are working so hard before and after school, to open their contracts and take pay checks because we’ve set other priorities.
When will Newtown begin to value their teachers, demonstrating respect for their work and acting in kind with a budget that supports their classroom needs? Ms. Lynch asked the Board to give back the teachers and do not consider any cuts that will cost the schools for years to come.
Bob Merola, 22 Ashford Lane, Newtown stated that the budget has gone up 25% over the last few years, from $84,000,000 to $105,000,000. 95% of last years budget is about $100,000,000, right now the purposed budget is flat. Mr. Merola implored the Board to ask both the Town and the Board of Education to cut more to get down to below $105,000,000.
Po Murray, 38 Charter Ridge Road, Sandy Hook (Att. A) spoke as a parent, tax payer and a legislative council member but does not speak on behalf of all of the council. When the Federal money is expected to trickle down in Newtown Ms. Murray would like to see fewer teachers laid off; to see an effort made to salvage as many jobs as possible while finding more creative methods to be fiscally responsible. To have more clarity in what voters want Ms. Murray proposed the option to put advisory questions on the ballot in April to seek guidance from the voters. Ms. Murray asked the board not to make any cuts that would compromise the educational system and public safety that would adversely effect property values. Ms. Murray asked the Board to apply the same amount of scrutiny to the Town side
budget as they do to the Education side budget. Ms. Murray what the plan is if the Town does not receive the stimulus money? The $500,000 Fairfield Hills budget pays the consulting company to manage the Fairfield Hills property. Now that the roads have been turned over to the town, can the Board find efficiencies with the town departments absorbing this job? What is the plan for the Edmond Town Hall? The $190,000 cost to operate this building has not diminished. Would the town employees consider furlough days? Ms. Murray believes if there is to be a “reduction in force” of the teaching staff that the same should be considered for town employees. Is a four day work week an option for town offices? Could the Board of Selectmen be asked to use the $760,000 from the Woodbury lease agreement to offset the projected revenue shortfalls? There is a new line item for $260,000 for payment for the Newtown Youth Academy
lease amendment for Greenwich Hall demolition and parking construction, in the debt service portion of the budget. This is expected to be in the budget for the next fifteen years. This should’ve been in the five year Capital Improvement Plan receiving Board of Finance, Legislative Council and then voter approval. Ms. Murray asked the Board to find out if there would be interest savings by obtaining General Obligation Bonds and to evaluate if this expenditure followed the appropriate Charter guidelines. Ms. Murray would like the Board of Selectmen budget critically reviewed.
Mr. Kortze inquired as to whether Ms. Murray submitted these questions to the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education. Ms. Murray replied that some of the questions had been submitted to the Board of Selectmen and she did not receive a response. Mr. Kortze stated that many specific questions which are decision making processes that the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education should’ve already gone through. Mr. Kortze stated he wanted the meetings televised because the public meetings have always been an open and public process. Also, he wanted the public to see the justification by the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education on the decisions they’ve made. The Board is hopeful that the public will be able to see why these things are being asked for and what the
justification and rationale is for them. Mr. Kortze respectfully recommended that anybody looking at the budget look at the entire budget. It is a “very big enterprise, there’s a lot of moving parts.” Look at all aspects of the budget, the Board of Selectmen, the revenues, what may or may not happen, what exist in the budget that will add to the overall outcome .
Tisha McCoy, 5 Old Purdy Station Road, Newtown is a resident and a teacher in town. Ms. McCoy invited the Board members to come to the school and into the classroom and stated and educated decision needs to be made. Ms. McCoy suggested they come in and read a book and then hold a guided reading group to listen to the inspiring comments kids make. Ms. McCoy stated she is great what she does, she has been a teacher for over 20 years and puts her heart and soul into teaching every single day and deals with the emotional, the physical and the academic. Teachers are now counselors, psychologist, teachers and social workers. Ms. McCoy doesn’t believe the Board can make an education decision unless they’ve been in the schools recently.
Laura Newberry, 3 Alpine Road, Newtown, has been in the Newtown school system since kindergarten and believes it is great and has excellent teachers. Ms. Newberry is currently a senior and has been accepted to five colleges. Ms. Newberry doesn’t want to see Newtown High School teachers jobs or pay cut because they put in so much time, before, during free periods and after school, on their own time. There hasn’t been a teacher that hasn’t been willing to help. Ms. Newberry has a job because of her involvement in the Tech Club. Newtown High School offers a lot of opportunities, the extracurricular classes are fantastic. Ms. Newberry hopes that the education of the school stays the same or gets better, the programs are great and she would hate to see them
go.
Jen Scarengella, 14 Poor House Road, Newtown is the President of the Head ‘O Meadow PTA. The PTA has voted in support of the Board of Education Budget. The PTA Presidents are making every effort to communicate the facts to the parents so they can make an educated decision.
Wendy Olson, 9 Winter Ridge Road, Sandy Hook is the Hawley School PTA President. The 338 PTA members at Hawley support the budget as is.
Daniel Amaral, 41 Elm Drive, Newtown is a member of the Legislative Council and he sees a lot of waste going on. Look at the equipment budget, do we need all of that? Snow plowing is done by the Parks Department, the Maintenance Department and custodians are all doing the same job. Parks is putting in a drain on Elm Drive using a private contractor, why not do it themselves? During the school break the offices at Hawley were painted by a private contractor, why didn’t the custodians do that job? Nobody thinks to save.
The Public Hearing was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
John Kortze called the special meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 8:10 p.m.
PRESENT: John Kortze, James Gaston, Martin Gersten, Joseph Kearney, Michael Portnoy and Harrison Waterbury.
ALSO PRESENT: Finance Director Robert Tait and five members of the public.
Mr. Gaston moved to waive the reading of the resolution with respect to the authorization, issuance and sale of not exceeding $10,000,000 Town of Newtown general obligation refunding bonds. Mr. Gersten seconded.. All in favor.
Mr. Gaston moved the resolution with respect to the authorization, issuance and sale of not exceeding $10,000,000 Town of Newtown general obligation refunding bonds. Mr. Gersten seconded.
Mr. Tait explained that the Town has the opportunity to refund bond issues for a lower rate, specifically the 2001 series, which has six years left and the 2002 series which has a significant amount of years left. The refunded bonds will not go beyond the terms of the bonds being replaced. There is a potential savings of between $400,000 and $500,000 that can be targeted to specific years. Mr. Tait would recommend savings be split evenly between the next budget year and the year after. This would be done as a negotiated sale. Mr. Tait explained that he would like to move on this because it needs to go to the Council, who will instruct the Board of Selectmen to call a Town Meeting. The principal amount can change but the maturity won’t change. Mr. Kortze explained there are two
types of issuance, negotiated or competitive. Mr. Tait said he believed on refunding it is better to negotiate. The motion was unanimously accepted.
The special meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Att. A: Po Murray hand out
Respectfully Submitted
Susan Marcinek, Clerk
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