Jay Lewin, Uncensored

Morey: BOE Has Credibility Problem

2009-06-26T16:03:00.002-04:00

Do the phrases, “The school system will crash and burn!” and “This will be a catastrophe!” and “The school budget is bare bones minimum!” sound familiar? These are but a few of the hues and cries and the deceptive rhetoric that we hear each year at budget time from the Board of Ed and School Administrators.

This year, the Mayor proposed reducing a payment to the Town’s medical service account by $800,000, thereby reducing the proposed tax increase by 1%. The Town Council approved the proposal but the Mayor’s attempt to save the taxpayers this $800,000 failed because three delusional Board of Finance Members who to this day don’t understand how that account works voted against it. As a result, taxpayers are being overtaxed by $800,000. All the while, these three democrats and their BOE counterparts were making these hues and cries.

But wait! Moments after the passage of the school budget, the BOE and the School administrators were ecstatic about the Budget passage. But what about the hues and cries? How can a budget be described as a “crash and burn” one day and ecstasy the very next? There’s obviously a credibility issue.

Even more, despite the hues and cries, approximately one month after the Budget passed, we now find the School Board handing out raises, additional employee benefits and employee retirement incentives like so much Halloween candy.

That’s because the BOE is totally oblivious to the fact that our economy is on life support and any new tax revenue created from an expanded tax base is on morphine drip.

The BOE needs members who have business acumen. Without such people, the Board’s tax and spend policies will continue unchecked with no regard for the taxpayers and our taxes will rise exponentially.

Over the last 20 years, the New Milford taxpayers have supported nearly $100,000,000 in new and renovated school infrastructure costs.

Over that same period and into the future, the BOE’s abysmal failure to properly maintain that infrastructure falls on the taxpayers who must once again ante-up. The accelerated depreciation of the school infrastructure is a direct result of the majority of the tax dollars being directed mostly towards salaries, benefits and employee-retirement incentives.

The private sector is experiencing many job losses, reduced salaries and, in some cases, the elimination of benefits but not our School system!

Taxpayers would be more inclined to tolerate the rising cost of our School system if better results were achieved. Other than a few students of academic excellence who would excel in any school system, most graduates today can’t make change of a dollar bill without using a calculator. We all want what’s best for our children but, unfortunately, too much of the School budget is about salaries and benefits and not enough about the future of our youth.

It is long overdue that the State Legislature allow municipalities to separate their tax bills by town and school so that taxpayers can see the real impact of our school budget. Many states allow this.

Another reality check. Why is it that the Budget vote always takes place on a Tuesday during the school day, leaving the schools dangerously open with unchecked accessability? Is it because a Tuesday vote makes it so convenient for parents and teachers to vote? Which is more important, the safety of our children or the passage of the School budget? Our children should be first and foremost. Several towns vote on Saturday.

I challenge the BOE and the School administrators to cut out the budget rhetoric and produce better results. I urge the Town Council to change budget votes to Saturdays.

Tom Morey
New Milford

Swine Flu Arrives In New Milford

2009-06-06T12:48:00.003-04:00

The Health Department posted confirmation of the Town's first case of H1N1 otherwise known as the Swine Flu: http://newmilfordhealth.org/index_files/h1n16509.pdf

The Department posts a lot of helpful and interesting information on its Web Page; access it through http://www.newmilford.org

Bridge Traffic Mess

2009-06-02T17:10:00.003-04:00

At about this time last year, a State DOT contractor showed up and caused a traffic mess on Veterans' Bridge. No notice to the Town. The contractor just showed up. A promise was made that it would never happen again. Yeah, right. Uh-huh.

Earlier today, Mayoral Aide Tammy Reardon asked that the job be shut down until proper notice could be given to residents; the work stopped. It will resume tomorrow, as set forth in this Press Release from the Mayor's Office:

"The Mayor’s Office has just been notified that Connecticut DOT has scheduled Haks Engineering to inspect Veterans Bridge (00901) with alternating traffic on Wednesday, June 3rd.

Inspection will take place between 9am and 2pm, weather dependent. There is a chance that inspection may be required within the same hours on Thursday, June 4th. Please expect traffic delays or make arrangements to avoid this area during these hours."

eWaste Update

2009-05-28T10:25:00.002-04:00

In January, I wrote a post about the start of a program to collect certain electronic waste ("eWaste") at the Recycling Center.

The Statute provides that, effective July 1, 2009, the Town is required to segregate eWaste at the Recycling Center. There are four CEDs ("covered electronic devices"): televisions, computers, monitors and, optionally, printers. Instead of being dumped in a landfill, they will be processed in an environmentally sound manner, broken up into components and reused where possible.

Since the program is paid for by the manufacturers, there will be no charge to drop off these items.

A few moments ago, I spoke with Tom Metzner at the DEP who told me that the program will not go into effect until the Regs are passed. He thinks that the program will be ready "by the end of the year." "We're trying to do this as quickly as possible," he said, "because we know it is costing the Towns money."

In our case, it isn't costing the Town anything because there is a drop-off charge for all of these items except printers.

Budget Passes In Low Turnout

2009-05-12T21:44:00.002-04:00

Town Budget: 1861 yes, 1276 no.
BOE Budget: 1751 yes, 1384 no.

How To Report Motor Vehicle Registration/Tax Violations

2009-05-05T15:39:00.003-04:00

This site http://www.ctpersonalpropertytax.com offers a totally anonymous means of reporting people who you think may be cheating on their car or personal property taxes. I know that many people call the Assessor's Office but it cannot take an anonymous report. This is a quote from the site:

"Did you ever sit in line at your local bank drive-up and wonder why the driver of the Florida registered Hummer in front of you would want to have an account there? That 4-wheel drive must really come in handy during those Florida winters! Did you ever wonder why you see those same people in the Vermont registered Mercedes 500SL every weekend at your local pizza parlor?

Many Connecticut residents register their vehicles in other states to avoid paying sales taxes and local property taxes. These vehicles are easy to spot because they’re parked in your neighbor’s driveway displaying the state marker plates of their vacation home! If you ask them, they’ll provide answers more entertaining than those of ENRON ex-officials testifying before Congress. There is ONE place where you will NEVER see them. You’ll never see them waiting in line for a Connecticut emissions test!

An even bigger problem…..many more Connecticut residents register their vehicles in Connecticut but use an address/tax town other than their residence where the vehicle is located. These are what we refer to as “stealth” cheats because they are not readily visible. This is most prevalent in the Cities where mil rates are high and where insurance premiums are double that of the suburbs."

New Democratic Registrar

2009-05-04T14:18:00.003-04:00

Democratic Registrar Helen Cherney's successor was her Deputy, Barbara Brickley.
On Friday, Barbara Brickley appointed Chris Cutter as her Deputy.
On Monday, Barbara Brickley resigned.
On Monday, Deputy Chris Cutter became the Registrar.
On Monday, Chris Cutter appointed Barbara Brickley as his Deputy.

"I couldn't wait any longer for the party to act so I had to take action," said Barbara who explained that she'd been waiting for the Party for weeks. "I couldn't handle the upcoming referendum by myself. Chris is retired, he's a great guy and I think he'll do a terrific job."

Taxpayers To Be Overtaxed

2009-05-01T22:09:00.003-04:00

You won't believe this. At the hands of Board of Finance Democrats Frank Wargo, Shelly Pruss and Gail Alexander, you are going to be overtaxed by the sum of $800,000.00.

Yes, you heard me. OVERTAXED.

Tonight, the Town Council voted (Lillis abstained)to reduce the Budget because of the medical savings [see yesterday's post]but these three BOF whizzes voted against the motion to reduce so it failed and the Budget that goes out to the voters contains the sum of $800,000.00 that doesn't need to be in it. So, instead of a .13% increase, the tax increase remains at 1.35%.

And folks, it's against the law to overtax. These three ought to be sued in a class action and be held personally liable.

All this happened despite the fact that Town Attorney Randy DiBella explained that they can't lawfully send a Budget out that isn't reflective of the Town's actual expenses.

New Milford ought to have its own Tea Parties. I am sick of the ignorance and disrespect for the taxpayers.

Mayor Reduces Tax Increase From 1.35% to .13%

2009-04-30T17:22:00.003-04:00

Mayor Murphy just posted a Special Town Council Meeting for Friday at 7:30 p.m. This is the Agenda item:

Reopen Budget Deliberations and Set a New Referendum Date

Reopen budget deliberations for the purpose of discussion and possible action on revision of the budget recommended to the Board of Finance by the Town Council on March 10, 2009 by reducing the recommended budget from $90,017,784 to $89,217,784 so as to reflect the anticipated reduction in health insurance costs for fiscal year 2009-2010, and to set a new referendum date. Such reduction will reduce the proposed tax increase from 1.35 percent down to 0.13 percent.

Parks & Rec Seeks Matching $$ for Creative Playground

2009-04-30T12:39:00.005-04:00

I received the following from Eleanor Covelli, Assistant P & R Director:

...We are starting our fundraising efforts to build a “New Creative Playground” at John Pettibone School. An anonymous donor has come forward who will match, dollar-for-dollar, any amount up to $50,000! The funds need to be raised by Labor Day in order to be matched.

We are appealing to everyone via this email to fill a 16.9 oz. empty water bottle with pennies (nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars or checks are welcome also) and return it to New Milford Parks and Recreation, 47 Bridge Street. We are hoping to have your donation in hand by June 1^st to get us started.

If you can’t get to our offices, we will be happy to pick up the donations!

Checks should be made payable to the “New Milford Parks & Recreation Gift Fund” [47 Bridge Street, New Milford, CT 06776].

This is a wonderful project that will benefit kids for years to come.

State RTC Chair Healy to Speak May 4

2009-04-27T14:23:00.004-04:00

This is a press release that I received from the NMRTC:

Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy is the featured speaker at the New Milford RTC meeting, which will be held May 4^th at the Pettibone School at 7:00 p.m.

Registered Republican voters and others concerned with the current direction of government are invited to hear the briefing, which will focus on the state's current and projected budget deficits, the difficulty municipalities face in assembling balanced budgets, and the growing Tea Bag tax rebellion now sweeping the nation. Healy will also discuss the outlook for the fall elections.

"Fiscal responsibility is the very foundation of our political party," said Pat Sherry, Chairwoman of the New Milford RTC. "It is our top priority today. The sooner our elected officials in Hartford and Washington, D.C. discover fiscal restraint, and reduce unnecessary government spending, the sooner our private sector will energize and lead us out of this financial and economic morass."

Since his election as CT GOP chairman in January 2007, Healy has worked to modernize and improve the effectiveness of the state party. He relocated the party's headquarters and doubled the floor space, enabling better training sessions and more convenient meetings and seminars for candidates and party activists. Healy also introduced new technologies to foster better communications and information sharing, both of which enable the GOP to compete and win in local and state elections.

From a policy standpoint, Healy has helped the state party return to its core principles of small, effective government, free trade, lower taxes and less regulation on businesses -- all while demanding a quality public education and strong support for defense and the war against terrorism.

More recently, Healy has been an outspoken critic of U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, especially his lack of leadership and focus on Connecticut, and his questionable real estate deals involving a convicted felon and a disgraced sub-prime mortgage lender.

Staff Changes at the Spectrum

2009-04-25T07:36:00.007-04:00

Current Editor Jacky Smith has been moved to the News-Times and will be its Managing Editor. She will report to Art Cummings.

As of Monday, Norm Cummings will be the new Editor of the Spectrum.

Lynda Wellman has accepted a buyout. Her last day will be May 15 and she will be replaced by Susan Tuz.

Homeless In New Milford

2009-04-20T10:36:00.003-04:00

I’m not going to attempt to address the complex social issues. Simply, I’m tired of hearing how little the Town does so I am going to list the services that are available in New Milford. I believe that Homelessness is a problem of prevention; the Town should and must support programs that help people stay in their homes and help them keep their jobs.

Be mindful, though, that I have a problem with people who come to New Milford – and they do – just to take advantage of those services. A kind of, “build it and they will come” problem. I believe that the services that are supported by New Milford taxpayers should be for people who are from New Milford, not carpetbaggers. Sorry.

1) Social Services offers a food pantry, heat and electrical assistance, temporary housing, counseling services and more. http://newmilford.org/content/57/89/234/default.aspx

2) A culinary program “for unemployed and underemployed adults looking to work in the food service industry” http://www.volunteersolutions.org/vcswc/org/10285662560.html

3) The Senior Center has great programs including a bus for medical and other appointments, lunch programs, meals on wheels http://newmilford.org/content/57/89/222/default.aspx

4) The Town supports the VNA

5) The Town supports the Childrens’ Center

6) Loaves and Fishes uses Town space; taxpayers pay its utilities, maintenance and for its additional police calls

7) The HART bus

8) The Health Department will help with temporary shelter if, for example, a tenant is without hot water or heat in the winter

9) The Youth Agency’s fees for its latchkey program are on a sliding scale and it offers free counseling services

I’m sure that I have missed some.

The best proof of the existence of these services is that the people who come to New Milford for shelter wouldn’t come here if it didn’t offer them. We ought to have a good look at where they come from and how they got here. Finally, I note with some amazement that the New Milford Homeless Shelter Coalition offers driving directions to the Green! http://www.volunteersolutions.org/vcswc/org/directions.aspx?listing_id=23376570

Budget Referendum: May 12

2009-04-16T11:26:00.001-04:00

The Town Council set the date: May 12, 2009.

New Milford's Tea Party

2009-04-16T10:12:00.010-04:00

Rev. Keeney-Mulligan Transferred to Bloomfield; Needs Help Finding Lost Ring

2009-04-09T10:23:00.007-04:00

Until I received an e-mail this morning, I was not aware that Rev. Gail Keeney-Mulligan's son lost a ring of great sentimental value at the Schaghticoke soccer fields. The story is in the News-Times today.

She told me a few moments ago that a metal detector hasn't helped...yet. I offered her the use of mine and I encourage all of you who have them (I know there are many!) to try your hand.

In the same conversation, Rev. Keeney-Mulligan confirmed that she has been transferred from St. John's Episcopal Church to Bloomfield, effective this coming June.

Name This Person!

2009-04-08T12:29:00.002-04:00

Who will be the first to identify this muscle-bound 29 year old from the Bronx?

Mary Connolly's "Retirement" From the News-Times

2009-04-05T11:51:00.004-04:00

"For the past nearly quarter-century," News-Times Editor Art Cummings wrote, "Mary Connolly was the face of The News-Times' editorial page.

"Now, however, the Mary Connolly era has drawn to a close. Mary has retired, leaving a legacy of an outstanding career and a community better off for her many contributions."

This is one Member of the Community who disagrees. But I do owe her some thanks. After all, she's one of the reasons that I started this Page. I became so frustrated with her editorials and her refusal to print some of my words that I decided to find another way to air my thoughts.

Political leanings aside, the frustration was due, in part, to her lack of knowledge and avoidance of the relevant facts. When writing an editorial about New Milford, she often didn’t bother to consult the New Milford reporters who knew the facts so, on occasion, her editorials were at odds with the stories. I think that this was a terrible disservice.

So, Mary, I wish you well but I question whether your legacy was a benefit to the New Milford Community.

By the way. Mary didn’t “retire.” Like others, she put in for and took a buyout. There’s a difference.

Good Budget News: No Cut To ECS

2009-04-02T17:24:00.002-04:00

Can you stand some good Budget news? I just learned that there will be no cut to the ECS money from the State. It will be maintained at current levels.

BREAKING: BOF May Have to Revisit Budget

2009-04-02T10:54:00.004-04:00

Finance Director Ray Jankowski may know today if there will be a substantial cut in ECS (Education Cost Sharing) funds from the State. If this happens, the BOF may have to call a special meeting to revisit the Budget. Ray brought this up last night.

Here's an example. Let's say that the State's financial woes are really bad and the ECS amount is reduced by $1.5 million. This loss of revenue would result in a new tax increase of 3.66% if substantial cuts -- not reductions in requested increases -- aren't made.

Procedurally, this raises some interesting issues. First, I believe that the BOF has the right to revisit the Budget so long as it does so within the 15 day period that the Charter provides it must act. If it does call a Meeting, someone who voted with the majority last night must make a motion to renew, not a motion for reconsideration.

Second, in the unlikely event that the BOF does not hold a special meeting, the Charter mandates that the Budget go to a Town Meeting and, as also required by Charter, to Referendum thereafter. But what can be done, if anything, to stop that process since the Budget that would go to the Town Meeting and the Referendum is known to be deficient?

Third, what happens if the Town Meeting takes place and the Budget is declared a nullity but the BOF's 15 days have expired. Does the BOF still have jurisdiction to consider any Budget?

Finally, I must point out that every budget, every year, is not more than a snapshot of a point in time and really just a guessing game when it comes to revenue. That's why they are called "anticipated" revenues. At what point does a Budget lose such relationship to reality that it has to be adjusted before it goes to the voters? When revenues are down $3? $3,000? $300,000?

Must a municipality warn voters at the polls about this, assume they already know or just avoid all the above by sending the Budget along and later sending out a supplemental tax bill if necessary?

All good questions for the Town Attorney.

BOF Sends Budget to Voters Without Change

2009-04-02T08:46:00.003-04:00

In a half-hour Meeting that was attended by only a handful of people, the Board of Finance passed the Mayor/Town Council Budget by a 4-2 vote. Shelly Pruss and Gale Alexander voted against.

The Budget provides for a 1.35% tax increase and now goes to the voters.

"The vote was what's best for the Community," said Mayor Murphy. "With this Budget we can still provide the services that people expect. If it doesn't pass, I have some real concerns."

Two motions were made to increase the BOE Budget. Both failed. The first motion was to add $750,000 to the School Budget, the second was to add $500,000. "People can afford it," Shelly said.

Board Member Frank Wargo disagreed saying that people he knows "aren't having a great year economically."

Member Gale Alexander, whose Budget books are still sitting in the Mayor's Office, was the lone opposing vote. If it was his intention to use the on-line edition of the Budget, he certainly could have saved the Town the printing cost by so advising.

Chairman Bob Sherry said that in prior years he supported putting money back in the education budget but "this isn't the time to do that given our economic condition.

"We all care deeply about education but based on the turnout at both the Public Hearing and our Meeting last night I think we did the right thing.

"I think that it's time for the BOE to tighten its belt. Last year it had a surplus of about $750,000.00."

In the past, some have said that the Town doesn't support education. "It's obvious that the Town supports education," said Mayor Murphy, "But right now we don't have money and we're worried about what's coming from the State.

"Don't support education?" Mayor Murphy asked. "All you have to do is take a look at the School's debt service -- all of which is on the Town side of the Budget -- and you'll see that we support education."

Pilla Responds to Pruss

2009-03-30T14:22:00.001-04:00

Any resentment that a very few might feel, Shelly, is unfortunate because for those very same few the message might get lost in their resentment. It is not my intention to do anything but point out that I have a very large, vested interest in the Town’s welfare.

Now to the facts.

I am delighted to hear that the BOF Members are not going to succumb to the temptation to raid the undesignated account. For the reasons that I explained in my comments at your Hearing, that would cause a disaster on June 30, 2010, and surely result in job losses. As I also said, we shouldn’t be talking about raises; if we want to save jobs we should be talking about a Town-wide wage freeze not just a freeze on the Town-side.

I hope that the Members are also not going to succumb to the wishes of a few who want to give more money to the BOE and thus raise taxes. You may have noticed that the turnout at your Hearing produced very few people who thought that this is a good idea. That’s a stark contrast to years past. It’s the economy, Shelly.

With regard to line items, it is true that you don’t have line-by-line authority but I think you missed my point. If I didn’t explain it as well as I should have, let me try to do that here. This is how it works. After looking at a department line by line, let’s say the Members think that a particular capital item should be cut. What you do is reduce the department’s bottom line by that amount and make the recommendation to the Department Head for the specific cut.

Finally, I want to again emphasize the importance of revenue. I urge you and your fellow Members to be very wary of the projected revenues in this economic climate. I think that they are a bit optimistic. For example, State grants may end up to be lower than expected. After all, as the Mayor said, the entire budget process is one that is constantly evolving and subject to this unfortunate economy. You invite disaster if you overstate revenues. The inevitable result of doing that will be an erosion of the undesignated account, a chance that must not be taken.

Pilla Seeks Budget Freeze For School Administrators

2009-03-25T21:24:00.004-04:00

At tonight's Board of Finance Public Hearing on the Budget, my friend and former Town Councilman Tommy Pilla called on School Administrators and Dr. Paddyfote, "our top paid official," to give "serious consideration" to a salary freeze.

"These are uncertain times," he said, "And the taxpayers need a break from constant year-after-year tax increases."

If Dr. Paddyfote and the Administrators agree to a wage freeze, the tax increase would be reduced substantially.

Tommy also addressed the use of the so-called undesignated fund that some people wrongly think of as a Town savings account. If the Members of the BOF choose to increase the Budget that was sent to them by the Mayor and Town Council, Tommy warned them not to use the undesignated fund as a source of money for the increase.

"Don't touch the undesignated," he said, noting that any reduction in the account could adversely affect the Town's bond rating. "There are many capital projects moving forward and we need a strong bond rating to secure low bond rates.

"Mayor Murphy has changed the fiscal misuse of the fund by prior administrations," he added. "Any future growth of the fund balance should only be used for non-reoccurring capital expenditures."

He also asked the BOF Members to take their time deliberating the Budget. "Take the permitted 15 days to scrutinize each expense, line by line. The people who worked hard putting it together and the taxpayers of the Town deserve no less."

BOF Member Alexander Should Not Participate in BOE Budget

2009-03-21T06:44:00.006-04:00

Mr. K.P. Cofgs. I met this mnemonical individual in biology class the same year that I learned that the ability to reason and the existence of conscience are the province of homo sapiens. That was a long time ago and it wouldn’t surprise me if the definitions of “reason” and “conscience” have evolved such that the concept is now outdated and, just maybe, I didn’t get it right then.

What I do know for sure is that we are each endowed with a moral compass, a compass that is superior to laws and regulations, neither of which can promise good behavior. Similarly, ethics codes cannot promise ethical behavior. The interpretation, application and enforcement of laws and ethics codes, no matter how well written, are subject to political influence and the whim and caprice of those who take an oath to uphold and enforce. Not so the moral compass.

Our personal moral compasses guide the decisions that we make in life. Though we may be influenced by laws or regulations or enlightened by religious practice, education, books and wise people, ultimately our decisions are so extremely personal and, ultimately, one’s moral compass is located between one’s self and one’s pillow.

I have attended Town meetings in which a member, faced with a potential personal conflict on a matter before the body, turns to his fellow members and says, “I will participate in this discussion unless there is an objection from you.” Town Councilman Ray O’Brien has done this. Similarly, Town Councilman Mary Jane Lundgren recently asked the Town Attorney if she had a conflict and shouldn’t vote on a matter. Neither question is appropriate because the decision to recuse or not is personal and must be made based upon one’s own moral compass.

Board of Finance Member Gale Alexander is registered with the BOE as a substitute teacher. Mr. Alexander thus has a contractual relationship with the School and a direct financial interest in the BOE Budget. Mr. Alexander has, in years past, participated in discussions and deliberations about the BOE Budget and voted on it.

My moral compass tells me that that financial interest is incompatible with the proper discharge of his duties as a Member of the BOF and that it could impair his independence and impartiality of judgment in the performance of his public duty.

Mr. Alexander, what does your moral compass tell you...should you be doing these things? I think not and I ask you, to preserve the faith of the hard-working taxpayers of this Town in these extremely difficult times, to recuse yourself from these matters.

Spatola Action Settled

2009-02-26T14:31:00.005-05:00

Some years ago, while Town Councilman Joe Failla was the Acting Chairman of the Ethics Commission, an Ethics complaint was filed by John Kane against John Spatola for an alleged impropriety that was committed while the latter was a Member of the Board of Finance. After a very long proceeding, the Complaint was dismissed. This action for legal fees arises out of a State Statute that provides for the recovery of a town official's legal fees in the event that he or she successfully defends such matters. The Town's insurance carrier refused to make the reimbursement, claiming that the statute didn't apply.

As John explains, a Superior Court Judge met with him, the Mayor, a representative of the insurance carrier and their attorneys and hammered out an agreement. That agreement is subject to the Town Council's approval and will be the subject of an Executive Session at its next Meeting.