The Legislative Council held a public hearing on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 in the auditorium of the Newtown Middle School, Queen Street, Newtown CT. Chairman Rodgers opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: William Rodgers, Timothy Holian, Daniel Amaral, Joseph Borst, David Brown, Jeffrey Capeci, Joseph DiCandido, Stacie Doyle, Keith Jacobs, Patricia Llodra, Francis Pennarola. ABSENT: Michael Iassogna. ALSO PRESENT: Financial Director B. Spragg, Superintendent of Schools Dr. E. Pitkoff, Approximately thirty-five members of public, two members of press.
Chairman Rodgers welcomed the public to discuss the budget as proposed by the Board of Finance.
Dr. Pitkoff updated information on grants. The State Department of Education is reducing the Title Grant by $26,000. The State expects that the IDEA grant will have an average 10% reduction but it is not known what Newtown’s reduction will be.
Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road, discussed the Selectmen’s budget. She said that The Bee reported that the average tax increase will be $425. Take another look at having a paid Fire Department. If you think this is an emergency, please convey that to the public. She understands there is to be a new firehouse on Route 302 and wants to know how much this will cost. She said it took six years to meet the emergency at Middle Gate School after problems with radon in 1996, uranium in 1998 and radioactivity in 2002. The High School wanted $400,000 to convert shop areas into classrooms and this took three years. Also look at the $2 ½ million in the Capital Improvement Plan for Commerce Park. The Chairman of the Economic Development Commission said in the News-Times that this would entice people to move into
Newtown and the First Selectman said that buying the Reynolds property would keep houses out. She said that these views conflict. She said it was not mentioned that the Fairfield Hills operating budget of $598,000 included a paved road in the back. Take out the sidewalks and road and put in four fields. The school budget needs every dime.
Sarah Beier, 7 Yogananda Street, encouraged people to work within their neighborhoods and friends to get people to vote. She thanked the Legislative Council for their work.
Po Murray, 38 Charter Ridge Drive, asked that you continue to support the First Selectman in his efforts to raise education funds for Newtown. The operating budget increase is mainly due to energy, inflation and increased residential growth.
Mary Ann Jacob, 65 Mohawk Trail, said that in the past two years only 50% of the spouses of the women who voted also voted. We need to encourage the spouses to vote.
Joan Salbu, 1 Stonewall Ridge Road, said that she is very proactive as are the Legislative Council and the Board of Finance. She is a realtor and said that the education services and quality of life bring people here. People leave not because of affordability but because of changes in family status. Support the budget.
Kathy, McKee, 17 West Street, is finding is increasingly difficult to stay in her home because of taxes. She asked that we look at the Homestead Act which reduces taxes for long term residents of a town. She said her taxes increased 25% since 2003 but her income did not. This is forcing out people who have lived here for many years.
Chairman Rodgers closed the public hearing at 7:53 p.m. He noted that the Legislative Council will have regular meetings on April 5 and April 19 and action will be taken on the budget at one or both of these meetings. Special meetings will be scheduled as needed.
Both sides of the budget may be addressed at either meeting.
Ann M. Mazur, Clerk
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