After four failed attempts, Newtown's 2012-13 budget has finally passed. Thirty-one percent of the town's 16,000 voters turned out today to cast their ballot and, in the end, there were 156 more yes votes -- 2,568 to 2,412.
There were tears in the eyes of Debbie Leidlein, chairman of the Board of Education, as members of the Legislative Council and Board of Finance laughed and hugged when the results came in, announcing they were grateful they will not be coming back in three weeks.
This was the fifth referendum, and one jubilant voter, Ali Legros, said she voted yes, “Because it was time to get these shenanigans over with.”
Now that the vote has passed, it is expected there will be an announcement by the Board of Education about whether full day kindergarten will be available this fall.
The $106,146,838 budget that passed includes the $68,355,794 education budget and represents a .69 percent tax increase.
A happy but tired First Selectman Patricia Llodra said in a telephone interview, “I am very pleased we are through this challenge and we are looking forward to a change in the process next year. Last night, the Legislative Council charged nine people with finding a strategy which could include a bifurcated budget or questions. Clearly this process has taught us that we don’t have the kind of precision our voters need.”
“I am relieved we are through the challenge," she added, "but there are a lot of challenges ahead.”
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I suppose it could have gone the way it did last year...The EA's are the most important creatures in the school As soon as the budget passed...well you watch the about face and by WHOM Janet's comments are just OUTSTANDING http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-ngpwPWvBE&feature=player_embedded
You think throwing more money in is the answer...I think money although necessary is not the panacea, and every class, course, interest group is NOT a matter for public funding. I do think this was at least our first “rather pleasant” discourse...I believe the town government should award both of us “certificates of merit” for this alone. The cost would be minimal, just several inkjet printed certificates just like that big time Music Communities Award from NAMM. Have a pleasant week Mrs. Murray
The issue is not the few extra tax dollars whatsoever...it is HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT...the thought process or lack thereof...the incompetency of those running the ship (schools system) what REALLY is received for the money spent and volumes more. As for Carmanuccio’s, I went only once; because of the written hype of the“nation’s best award’...kind of like reading the NAMM award for the Best Community for Music........If you strictly go by the written word, one can go ooo ahhh...however how many pizza places “nationwide” were even used to make the determination. Out of thousands upon thousands of communities in these United States, only 237 even bothered to submit the application for that very bogus “music award”...NO Westport, No Fairfield, on and on...It’s all a rouse ...Mail it in ...inkjet certificate returns in the mail.... Thanks, makes for a grrrrreat analogy . Sure do wish both were as N I C E as what's advertised. http://www.nammfoundation.org/press-room/namm-foundation-176-programs-earn-distinction-best-community-music-education
“I wish in previous blogs you had been this articulate rather than angry, and negative” come on...live up to your moniker and "keep cool" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zzfPOo2VGc&feature=related
Education Budget ~68.3 million out of ~106.2 million dollars in the total budget, of Which 54 million includes salaries and benefits which have gone up a total of 2.02%, -Yet Total Enrollment is down 1.6% School budget increasing .57%, although a small increase, how can any increase be justified when taken in context of lower home values and reduced enrollment? Police: Why is ~100k a year being spent to replace 3 police patrol cars a year? Many of the town’s patrol cars seem to be in very good condition despite what is listed in the budget, many cars can continue to perform well past 100k miles and based on their own indicators the town police are conducting very few major pursuits or engaged in the solving of many serious crimes. The 3 million dollar police salary budget supports 44 officers. 20 of whom earn approx. 68,000 a year but the average in the state is closer to 48k, though only the lowest grade officers in the town earn that amount. Is this size department really justified for a town of less than 30,000 people? The Police Measures and Indicators on page 138 of the Town Budget indicate that major crimes are rare in the town, the majority of police activity being traffic summons and warnings. Does this lack of major crime actually justify the size and expense of the department? Also can the town truly justify the expense of a K9 unit?
Once again you miss the point, salary increases to public employees (you know, people that we pay) are not SUSTAINABLE while we are making less and being taxed more.
Welcome to the fight. Put on you kevlar and keep firing. Recruit your like minded friends. You are right on calling out the overspending and lack of ANY fiscal discipline in this town. You'll figure out who the idiots are quickly enough here.
Does anyone know if Hartford ever approved the ballot language for bifurcation???
Mrs. Murray...so you feel compelled to fire the first salvo...now it has been two months since I even addressed this thread, Are you slow or just bored today?? Aside from not addressing the thread whatsoever...why are you doing this ? To make me annoyed...I have more going on, than to allow your small mind and big pockets to bother me. But if you are looking for a fight BRING IT...now go do something productive, PLEASE Big Family is NOT I Yoda is NOT I Sam I am, and I hate IPN spin and spam
I plan on trying to talk to as many people as I can and, come April (I believe) when they have the public budget meetings my father and I will be there.
Read, if you dare!!! http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/newtowneducation/