I could not attend last night's public budget hearing as I'm fighting a sinus infection. I was able to watch the first 50 minutes on public access before it was cut off. When the camera panned around the room a few times, it looked as if public attendance was scarce.
According to Luther Trumelle's article in the NHR today, it appears that the meeting drew about 20 citizens?
Based on some of the arguments in this blog I expected a packed room last night.
What does last night's showing indicate?
In the article, "Ruocco said he was surprised that there wasn’t much public comment. “Maybe it’s because the public expects us to do our job,”
With the lack of attendance (on both sides of the debate) last night...I have to wonder if perhaps Tom Ruocco is right?
Or perhaps folks are simply fed up and have lost interest in the process?
Thoughts?
FWIW, I think Michael Milone has done a good job of explaining the budget throughout the various workshop meetings as well as last night's presentation. Except for one area which is how much (if any) of the Rainy Day Fund a.k.a Fund Balance is being used in his proposal.
61 comments:
I think the meeting last night spoke to another point. Last year 120 people or so spoke and based on the outcome of last year no one listened to anything that was said. The council rolled their eyes and had side conversations. The also did not answer questions that were asked.
The silence witnessed last night I think shows that people are sick of speaking when they are not heard. Last year's actions sent that message. People showed up last year and the tc still claimed it wasn't the town's opinion even though no one showed up to represent the other side. Public opinion seems to be a shell game in this town your damned of you show up and damned of you don't.
Mr Ruocco's claims that the public wants them to do their job I think is part of the problem. After last year I don't think the people believe the TC knows what their job actually is.
I encourage the tc to think of the silence in ways other than the ones that best suit their personal agendas. Even if it is difficult to deal with the fact that not everyone agrees them.
The silence and lack of attendance is a message. Too many times when there is public input the TC appears not to be interested in the comments. This is the perception by many for for many years. I also think that many people choose not to show up because they already know what is at stake based on what the BOE has done this year. In past years the BOE did not take or appear to take the actions to determine what and if would be cut if the budget was cut by the TC and Town Manager. This year is different; the BOE has made it clear what the possibilities are for cuts. The other change is the position of the union. In the past the union choose to play hardball knowing they would win in the end because we do it for the children. Economics has changed and the unions do not have the strength perceived or real they used to. They also realize many of the unions supporters can no longer blindly support the union position on wage & benefit increases. I believe the public is really starting to understand the process, how the money flows and has has finally come to the realization we are serious economic trouble. Now if the teachers union provides some amount of concessions then the Town Council will have to not cut as much of the BOE budget as they may want to, after all it now is shared sacrifice. If the union does not agree to the concessions in a timely manner: by the time the Council has to vote on the budget: then the Council will cut the BOE budget to the max.
I agree with Mr. Ruocco's statement that people expect them to do their jobs. All residents in town have had to live within their means and cut spending so should the town. There also isn't support for the teachers when their union plays hard ball. Teachers are the main speakers at these meetings saying "you can't hurt the children by cutting the budget". They can't come out and constantly blame the taxpayers and the tc when they refuse to help. We'll see what happens.
Tom Ruocco is right - the majority of the voters expect the TC to do their job - reduce spending (as many voters have had to) & keep tax increases to a minimum especially in this economic time.
They also expect shared sacrafice across the board. What's fair is fair and many taxpayers feel they already pay their fair share. We also know that Malloy is likely to sock it to us with tax increases so we need someone to cut us a break - we know our current TC will do their job.
During the TC budget committee hearing tonight (4/6) the TC finance committee stated that the BOE will get a $975K budget increase or the same as last year.
So if I understand this correctly $3.07M - $700K (TM's reduction) - $1,395,000 (TC's cut tonight) means that the teacher's union needs to come up with what amounts to a $1.4M concession.
It appears that Bill was right on the money.
It might have been nice if the town council's feelings on cuts to different parts of Milone's budget were made known prior to the public hearing. It might have made for a better dialogue between public and council.
This all goes back to a problem with this process and the fact that the council is not very concerned with informing constituents of their feelings. Milone did a good job this year advocating his position unfortunately I don't feel the TC has done the same.
The $700,000 TM reduction to the budget really isn't a reduction to the BOE budget as far as programs are concerned. Florio when he puts his budget together projects the amount of money needed for medical claims for the year. Milone looks at this same figure months later and sees the actual amount spent on claims. If the actual amount is lower he adjusts the amount for the medical trust fund. Hense the reduction - medical claims were not as high as projected. Milones reduction affects the medical trust fund line item only. So when people think that Milone has reduced the BOE budget this is really incorrect - he makes an adjustment to Florio's figures.
and the TC is just going to make an adjustment to Florio's numbers too.
6:46 - The TC (both D & R's) never say before the public hearing what is going to be reduced from the proposed budget.
The towns income from the growth in the grand list went up by approx. $400,000 how can anyone expect the town to spend an additionsl $4M on this years budget. The TC knows this is not possible and so do a lot of other people.
" Milones reduction affects the medical trust fund line item only."
The proposed increase by Florio affects mainly just salaries & benefits. It isn't an increase that affects or enhances programs for the kids. So if the TC adjusts that increase shouldn't we also say that it really isn't a reduction to the boe's proposed budget? Come to think of it, the boe's budget always gets increased whether it be by that $234K a few years ago or by millions. An increase is an increase.
In the budget presentation on Tuesday Milone said that the increases in the budget have been relatively small over the past six or seven years. If you look at the figures closely, over the last six years those relatively small increases have raised the taxes for the average homeowner by a thousand dollars per year.
In order to make improvement; defined as strategic change for the mutual benefit of all: there needed to be serious considerations made by the BOE, teachers union and Town Council. We all know the revenue however that may be defined for education will drop this year and most likely for the next several years. Going on information provided in the public arena it appears the teachers union has expressed as serious desire to help by making some concessions. The BOE for the first time has embarked on a course of strategic planning, allowing them to know what would have to be cut for curriculum and extra-curriculum based on the money given to them by the Town Council. It would have made sense that once the BOE did their strategic plan, the teachers decided to help out; it only would have made sense for the Town Council to realize this and limit to some extent their reduction to the BOE budget. Based on last night's meeting the Town Council will severely reduce the BOE budget equal to what they were given last year, a bit over 900k. For a partnership to work all partners must contribute. Appears that political partisanship is more important than the overall benefit of the entire town. For the BOE to not fully fund their medical trust fund in order to meet expenses is financially irresponsible. Granted in the past the Supt had to use this tactic in order to "balance" his budget; something he should not have done. But for the Town Council to suggest this is beyond common sense and good financial management practices.
Why is it always left to the TC to do the heavy lifting during the budget cycle? It seems that the BOE passes a bloated budget to the TC knowing full well that they will have to reduced it to keep taxes low. Since the Town has only generated $390,000 in new revenue for this year and the budget request was for over $4m,how could anyone put forth such a request? I believe that everyone should be in this together,but someone is not being honest. The teacher's union leaders are now willing to make some sort of sign that they are willing to come to the plate. This is only being done because they are going to be entering negotiations for a new deal this year. How will it look if they showed that they made no effort to help. Bill, you might be right on a few points but the bottom line is that the TC has to make the hard decision and the BOE could spend the money any way they want. Over the last several years the BOE has never had any surplus to speak of. Boy they are almost perfect every year. Has anyone ever asked how this is possible? I believe everyone should start being truthful. Maybe I'm dreaming, but it has to stop. Having these increases every year as small as they are will not help this Town grow.
"Since the Town has only generated $390,000 in new revenue for this year and the budget request was for over $4m,how could anyone put forth such a request?"
Being part of the solution does require one to be familar with the facts. Obviously, you are not familar with the budget. Perhaps you may want to spend some time on this blog researching the budget information posted by Tony.
I doubt very much Tony would post untruthful information here so take advantage of the reports he posted.
"I believe that everyone should be in this together,but someone is not being honest."
Apparently, the TC is not being truthful.
Nobody was there because the entire system is flawed. The TC are elected for a short period of time, bang thier drum, then comes the next group. Several members of the TC are led by the nose by other Councilmen/women, and dont understand how all the moving parts work (not necessarily thier fault). This town government is much like a pre teen who dosent know how to be an adult, but wishes to be treated like one. It is time for someone on the council to "grow a set" and make a stand, popular or not. The last few years talking in circles about the pool, the turf, development (mall), the BOE, etc isnt getting it done. You can only table things for so long..... Stop pandering and make decisions. PS we are NOT in serious financial trouble. The town posts a surplus EVERY year. This is not the sleepy little town it once was, and progress costs money. Nobody likes higher taxes, BUT if you want services they cost money. This town saves a penny at the cost of a dollar. We want additional taxes but dont want development. We want education but dont want to pay the teachers. We want to be safe, but the police are lucky to be employed here. Cheshire its time to act your age.
Sincerely, born,raised,educated, and settled in Cheshire
"This town saves a penny at the cost of a dollar."
Yep.
"The town posts a surplus EVERY year."
Mostly by stealing the excess cost sharing reimbursement for special ed and depositing it into the town kitty and violating state law.
"Apparently, the TC is not being truthful."
The most recent evidence is the fact that the tc said they were going to act on the board's request for the reimbursement recently received from Hartford towards special ed costs. It's supposed to go directly to the boe spec ed account to cover the excess costs per state law.
I bet dumb and dumber on the tc are trying to divert the special ed money towards the town's medical trust fund to cover the shortfall in it.
"For the BOE to not fully fund their medical trust fund in order to meet expenses is financially irresponsible. Granted in the past the Supt had to use this tactic in order to "balance" his budget; something he should not have done. But for the Town Council to suggest this is beyond common sense and good financial management practices."
Well, I think that the boe should do exactly what this tc wants them to do. Exhaust the medical trust fund. Draw it down to zero just like this tc has done with the townside trust fund. (oh...they didn't mention that did they? OOps).
And when the boe has to go back to the tc to request funding for the account mid-fiscal year...what will the tc do then?
All this tc has is doing is pushing the problem or as schrumm likes to say "kick the can further down the road" for another tc to deal with.
5:21 & 9:45
I totally agree with everything you have said. I too was born, raised and still live here. I hope 5:21 will send their comments to the Cheshire Herald as an editorial so a much wider section of the tax base can be helped to see the truth and that it might help remove these short sighted individuals from power. Every year we see the story about the surplus and the money goes to benefit no one other than the TC's sacred rainy day fund.
This council needs to stop crying about how there is no money. 9M in the rainy day fund is excessive. Multiple sources have said so. They need to stop subverting the law give the BOE the ECS money they are legally entitled to have returned to their budget.
Also, this council repeatedly claims that next year we are going to loose more PILOT money yet no one is preparing the tax base for this eventuality with more than just words and hope it doesn't happen or that it won't hit us so hard. This town council should be moving the town in preparation for this event. Instead of pushing a minimal tax increase as in the tax payers best interest this year, the TC should be moving the tax rate higher so the adjustment to the lack of funding next year will not hit the taxpayer as hard next. If its going to happen, as they claim it is, isn't it more fiscally responsible to split the supposedly massive tax hike that will required to fill the gap over two years rather than just lump it all into one? They keep telling us there is no more money coming from other places that will make up this gap so the burden will ultimately fall on the tax payers.
Why postpone the inevitable? As both Milone and Florio have said there is no low hanging or unessential fruit left to pick from the town tree. There will be no alternatives than taxes. Not acting now to prepare for the future is short sighted and politically motivated by councilors hoping to secure their reelection in the fall. Which god willing won't happen.
November 2011. Not very far away. This may be the most short-lived Republican majority in Cheshire history.
Let's hope! People really need to come out this November. Especially if they care about the school system and any further reductions to town services.
Thank God we are getting turf....and we need to fix the tennis courts.
I believe there are two main reasons that people did not show up Tuesday.
1) Last year people packed Town Hall to the gills only to have their voices fall on mostly deaf ears (2 listened). One taxpayer after another urged the TC to use a reasonable part of the RDF to preserve services at the schools. They were ignored. Some on the TC only listen to the keep taxes low crowd.
2)Though there are timelines to follow, it seems premature to finalize the budget until the union discussions are finalized. The TC keeps talking about shared sacrifice, so if the union agrees to concessions what sre they going to give? Some of the RDF?
I wish people would stop slamming this tc. Back a couple years ago when the D's were the majority they didn't listen at the public hearing that they held. The majority of taxpayers asked them to keep spending and tax increases to a minimum yet when they voted on the budget they went with a higher tax increase (their plan A) then the R's plan B. And it was the D's that set that higher rainy day fund percentage when they voted through their own policy on it. And it was the D's who requested the turf grant and snuck that through the back door. And there was the scandal they tried creating against the town clerk...and the Norton Boiler fiasco..etc, etc.
"This council needs to stop crying about how there is no money. 9M in the rainy day fund is excessive. Multiple sources have said so. They need to stop subverting the law give the BOE the ECS money they are legally entitled to have returned to their budget."
Florio has publicly notified the TC of the state statute that requires the state funds for special ed reimbursement to be transferred to the BOE. The TC should be aware that now there their actions and comments will be in the spotlight and can be used as evidence in a criminal or civil trial should they fail to follow the statute. It would be interesting to see them grilled on the witness stand.
"Back a couple years ago when the D's were the majority they didn't listen at the public hearing that they held. The majority of taxpayers asked them to keep spending and tax increases to a minimum"
Pure fiction! Is was there and the MAJORITY was there to request more funds for the BOE. Granted the TC didn't provide as much as people wanted, but this TC is far worse and needs to go.
"I wish people would stop slamming this tc." You haven't seen or heard anything yet. If the union agrees to concessions AND the TC turns around and only provides the same increase to the BOE as last year (as proposed) AND they defy the state statute requiring the transfer of special ed reimbursement funds, get ready for a non-stop slamfest until November.
"Why is it always left to the TC to do the heavy lifting during the budget cycle?"
Heavy lifting? I would call it gutless pandering to the Ebeneezers in town who pay the lowest percentage of the taxes. Why don't they "lift" some of the RDF to help the BOE? Because that would actually help the parents who pay a much larger percentage of the towns taxes. Unfortunately they did not show up to vote so we are stuck with this TC who is ruining this town. Who is going to support the tax base when the families and businesses start leaving?
Why don't you leave and we'll find out. It'll probably be me and the many other people who were born & raised, educated and still live in this town.
"Why don't you leave and we'll find out. It'll probably be me and the many other people who were born & raised, educated and still live in this town."
So it was OK for other people to pay taxes for your education, but now you have become a one way street and won't pay for other people's kids to go to good schools. Aren't we lucky that you are still here. You live in a town with relatively low crime, decent services, and good schools, but you think all this comes for free? I am paying a lot of taxes for those services. Wake up and join the 21st century.
Who do you think pays the taxes that fund the police and fire dept, the library, the senior center, the senior bus, the tax subsidy for low income seniors? That's right the families and businesses that are supported by those families. It sure as heck is not Mr. one bedroom condo, no car. We are PAYING and PAYING for you to live in this nice town with all the services, yet you don't want to pay your small share to maintain the fine schools. It's all about you.
There's a place with really low taxes and crappy schools, it's called Florida. The place known for great schools and high taxes is CT. Who is living in the wrong place?
What's the problem?
The TC has not reduced the boe education.
The TC said they would raise the BOE's budget by $975,000 for 2011-2012.
This puts the boe budget at $61.4M.
The Town's operating budget (non-boe) is just over $24M.
72% of the Cheshire operating budget is education. It seems that residents have a legitimate concern about the massive level of spending being put against education vs. townwide services.
Don't be greedy because you're getting 72% of the kitty.
Also, it appears that the TC is dipping into the rainy day fund AND raising the mill rate to support this budget.
Again...stop being greedy at the expense of your fellow towns people. Be grateful that this town is giving 72%.
"The TC said they would raise the BOE's budget by $975,000 for 2011-2012."
That's not even enough to cover operating expenses (heat, buses, materials) and the TC knows that. They don't care.
"Again...stop being greedy at the expense of your fellow towns people. Be grateful that this town is giving 72%."
Most comparable towns spend as much or more. Whose "expense" is it? Again, the families and businesses who are supported by those families.
While nobody enjoys paying more taxes, most people realize that expenses are increasing and the schools are the majority of EVERY towns budget. Most people pay their taxes and recognize that it goes to fund services for the whole community, not just their individual special interest group.
How is it "greedy"? When tax increases come the families and businesses pay most of that increase. All we ask is that more of OUR tax money goes to the BOE instead of the RDF. That is what people packed town hall last year to ask the TC to do. They were ignored by this TC and they need to be retired.
Greedy. Asking the familes to accept cutbacks in services to make sure that those who pay a small percentage of the taxes have the smallest possible tax increase. So we are supposed to accept cutbacks in services and pay a larger portion of the tax increase? Talk about myopic!
"So we are supposed to accept cutbacks in services and pay a larger portion of the tax increase? Talk about myopic!"
Services aren't being cutback by any means.
Just because you pay more taxes than a few others doesn't entitle to you to more services than someone who pays less taxes than you. This is community.
The only thing "myopic" is your unwillingness to realize you are part of a community and not living on the island of "I".
And, where were you last week when only 17 people attended the public budget hearing? What happened? Oh it's so easy to post anonymously on a blog but so hard to actually eat your own dog food and *gasp* actually attend, speak up at the meeting when it actually matters.
I'm very happy with this TC. They listened when we elected them in 2009. They are following through on what the majority of the folks in this town requested of them.
Get used to it. Between the tea party and republican party in town, and supporters, this TC will be around for some time to come.
"Services aren't being cutback by any means."
Apparently you weren't listening at the meeting on Tuesday night despite your attendance. I was there and heard Michael Milone list a variety "services" that have been cut back in this town over the last two years both inside and outside the education budget. To name a few:
Bulk Pickup
Hazardous Waste Removal
Hours at the Library
Evening Hours at the Town Hall Offices
Positions at the registrar of voters office
and more...
In the schools they reduced class offerings and some after school programs. They have reduced maintenance leaving leaving our old buildings filthy, and there are teachers and bigger class sizes leading to less one on one instruction.
While you likely claim these are not fault of the TC because the BOE decides how to spend the money they are given, the TC is ultimately tying the school systems hands by supplying inadequate funding.
And these are only the big things.
The Island of I seems to be inhabited by the members of this TC. Schrum sits up there on the platform and dictates what he wants to see. He decides the tax increase and informs the public how he sees it. Many on this council seem to think being elected to office is about all the things, "I want to see happen" and they have proven this with their actions at town meetings like last year when they ignored the public's opinion and did whatever the hell they wanted anyway. That is a person who is all about the "I."
"I'm very happy with this TC."
"it's so easy to post anonymously on a blog but so hard to actually eat your own dog food and *gasp* actually attend, speak up at the meeting when it actually matters."
I'm glad your happy with a TC that is willingly running this town and all its community "services" into ruin. I hope that you will see come fall that despite what you see as the perceived strength of the town republican party, there is really a sleeping dragon of parents and taxpayers in this town who have had enough.
We choose to remain silent this year and save our breath. Why waste our words when they would not matter to the all about "I"s on the TC. We will let their actions speak for themselves. They weren't about to listen anyway. So did it really "matter"? This TC's actions will be their undoing in the fall. Though many of us chose to remain anonymous now we are carefully watching and keeping track of statements and actions that will fuel our campaign to take back this town for the families and children who call it home.
We will vote these people off the this "Island of I" survivor style.
Bulk Pickup
Hazardous Waste Removal
Hours at the Library
Evening Hours at the Town Hall Offices
Positions at the registrar of voters office
and more...
These should all be cut. They are not necessary. You can pay someone to take your junk to the transfer station, the library is open all day long and really - how much of a line is there at the registrars office. This is the waste that needs to go. It isn't essential to the operation of the town. What school offerings or after school programs have been cut? What is going to happen next year when costs are even greater? People need to wake up. Start cutting back now to soften the blow next year.....imagine if the TC didn't cut the budget back last year.
"Bulk Pickup
Hazardous Waste Removal
Hours at the Library
Evening Hours at the Town Hall Offices
Positions at the registrar of voters office
and more...
These should all be cut. They are not necessary. You can pay someone to take your junk to the transfer station, the library is open all day long and really - how much of a line is there at the registrars office. This is the waste that needs to go. It isn't essential to the operation of the town. What school offerings or after school programs have been cut? What is going to happen next year when costs are even greater? People need to wake up. Start cutting back now to soften the blow next year.....imagine if the TC didn't cut the budget back last year."
Just because you don't see the value of a service doesn't mean the majority of the down does not. I know many tax payers who are upset by the lack of bulk pickup for several years now. This is a service most towns offer especially towns of similar quality to cheshire. The point is we are losing services. so the comment above that we are not is an exaggeration and a lie.
"what is going to happen next year when costs are even greater? People need to wake up. Start cutting back now to soften the blow next year.....imagine if the TC didn't cut the budget back last year."
We are going to raise taxes. Plain and simple. We have been able to keep the taxes in this town artificially low due to money coming in from state programs like PILOT and ECS. These are things that other towns like ours (Madison) do not get. They have to tax there citizens as such. We have been lucky to benefit from the PILOT money for as long as we have. We should be using that money for the extras and not running the town and providing services off of money that may not be there next year. Gee, thats the same argument this TC uses to avoid spending any of the 9M rainy day fund.
"Services aren't being cutback by any means."
What?? And what rock have you been living under? This is how we ended up with this TC, village idiots having the right to vote.
"Just because you pay more taxes than a few others doesn't entitle to you to more services than someone who pays less taxes than you."
It sure as heck does not entitle us to less services. The children don't have a vote, so it's up to US to vote in their best interests. Not steal their future to lower YOUR tax bill.
I would like to thank all the taxpayer in Cheshire that send their children to private schools. They pay taxes plus tuition. If these children attended our public schools our costs would be much greater. Again, thank you.
"The children don't have a vote, so it's up to US to vote in their best interests."
Ah, there it is! Finally! It's all about the CHILDREN. Isn't it? Funny...how you and your ilk use "It's about the Children".
It's about as pathetic and cowardly as saying "Raise my Taxes".
Yes, let's do it for the Children. Let's evaporate the rainy day fund, raise tax and continue spending beyond the town's means...all in the name of the children.
If you're truly worried about their best interests you would be setting a good example of fiscal responsibility and not condoning entitlement as a means to get through life.
"only 17 people attended the public budget hearing"
This reflects just how fed up people are with this pompous autocratic TC.
"It's about as pathetic and cowardly as saying "Raise my Taxes"."
At least when people say that, they ARE the ones paying the taxes.
"Let's evaporate the rainy day fund, raise tax and continue spending beyond the town's means...all in the name of the children."
No let's use a reasonable portion of the RDF, raise taxes as little as possible, and spend what is needed to preserve services, including the "entitlements" that serve your selfish hide.
Your idea is to gut the schools and cut other town services all in the name of YOUR tax bill. Sorry no thanks.
"If you're truly worried about their best interests you would be setting a good example of fiscal responsibility and not condoning entitlement as a means to get through life."
fiscal responsibility: lowering YOUR tax bill?
entitlement: like social security and medicare? tax subsidies for low income seniors?
How about doing something positive for the community instead of complaining about your tax bill.
The TC that is in place at this time was voted in by an overwhelming majority. The BOE is no different than anyone else they must tighten their belts, yearly increases of 3 and 4 percent are not sustainable.
The TC that is in place was voted in by a majority and I voted for them. Now, I'm embarrassed for what they have done and how they went about it.
I should have known better. At the time, I was fed up with the D's on the TC in that they didn't listen, talked down to the public and politicized everything.
2 years later, we're back in the same boat just with a different party. Taxes have increased, the pool (as much as was promised) was not resolved, revenue continues to shrink, expenses continue to climb and there's no long-term vision by this TC on how to get out of this mess.
This TC has alienated the town of Cheshire. Not only did the public not show up to defend their budget but supporters of the TC also failed to show up and support the TC, too.
This TC has been an epic failure and, once again, the taxpayers will suffer.
Looking forward to November.
How can the this TC or past TC's do anything to increase Town revenue? The only thing they can do is increase taxes and cut spending. They are doing what they said they were going to do when they ran. I believe they are good people and looking out for Cheshire. I will vote for them again in Nov.
Can we be clear about the teachers union sudden urge to work with the town. They are about to start renegotiating with the Town in a few months for a new 3 year contract. As a union member (yes, i believe in Union rights), this is a small calculated move to show cooperation leading into a contract year. When the negotiation stalls and goes to arb,. the union can use the tactic to show how they helped and still use the Towns wealth and financial stability I(yes we are wealthy and quite fiscally sound) against the Town. This town posted 3 years of record surplus (over 2 million), last year in "the worst year ever" the town posted a half mil surplus. The town USES the financial panic to its benefit. When a Manager is making 150000 per year it is easy to take a pay freeze. Do that on a teacher or cop salary. Its not comparing apples to apples. This town has money, and is well run financially. And if it treated its employees fair to begin with, they wouldnt have it shoved down thier (and your) throats during contracts
" They are doing what they said they were going to do when they ran."
Gee I don't remember them saying they were going to gut the schools, grow the already bloated RDF, and ignore the people who pay a large portion of the taxes.
They only represent the people who pay the smallest portion of the taxes. Taxation without representation, that's this TC.
The union tried to negotiate last year, but the town was not interested in a no interest $650K loan. Plenty of us would take that for our kids' college tuition. It was clear from last years' budget that this TC would only "increase" BOE funding enough to pay for maintenence, utilities, buses, no more, so there were layoffs. This year more of the same, except now operating costs are even higher, so the supposed "increase" doesn't even keep up with costs. So now the union seems to be negotiating for more substantial concessions. What is the TC doing? Trying to misappropriate state funds, throwing the BOE a few schillings from the RDF, trying to sweep last years' surplus under the carpet. We are watching you.
"What is the TC doing? Trying to misappropriate state funds, "
Not sure about this particular TC but past TC's have certainly done so. Funny how no TC member wants to acknowledge this issue. That speaks for itself.
Anonymous said...
" They are doing what they said they were going to do when they ran."
Gee I don't remember them saying they were going to gut the schools, grow the already bloated RDF, and ignore the people who pay a large portion of the taxes."
Regardless what you think of the council, I'm amazed you continue to insinuate that those that pay more in taxes on their homes than someone else with a smaller tax bill on their home, should be listened to more than others. News flash - We all pay our fair share based on what we own. Who cares if you pay more than someone else. My guess is you use more town/education services than that young couple in some smaller house. So you could actually be costing us more money than what you pay. The point is is that every taxpayer has the right to voice their opinion about the budget, and the TC will do what they think is in the best interest of the entire town.
sz
"Regardless what you think of the council, I'm amazed you continue to insinuate that those that pay more in taxes on their homes than someone else with a smaller tax bill on their home, should be listened to more than others."
That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying that it is obvious that this TC is not listening AT ALL to the people who want to use some of the RDF to fund the BOE. They are only listening to one segment of the town.
I think the TC happened to be listening to the largest segment in town and that segment occupies big houses, small houses and rental units. That segment operates businesses here and many have chosen to retire here. They support modest increases, read the papers about the "state" we're in and actually get it.
I agree that this TC listened to the largest segment of the population when they refused to increase the taxes. There are many who for their own reasons are not comfortable coming to TC meetings and speaking but they let the TC members know in other ways how they feel.
Thats a cop out. If they aren't comfortable speaking in public then the TC council members should read their correspondence into the record as evidence to back up their claims.
"Thats a cop out. If they aren't comfortable speaking in public then the TC council members should read their correspondence into the record as evidence to back up their claims."
Why chastise these folks? Just because some folks don't follow your protocol doesn't mean it's a cop out. To each their own. Get over yourself.
"Thats a cop out."
And calling them cop outs under 'Anonymous' on a blog is not a cop out? For the record, you should post your name for the record, as evidence.
If plan "B" from the govenor is passed we will thank all the TC members who restrained from using the RDF as someone suggested. The plan calls for Cheshire to receive 5 million less. We will need a large portion of the RDF. These TC members must think about the whole population of Cheshire. 70% plus for the BOE is more than fair.
Post a Comment