Board of Finance Hearing April 24, 2013 My Comments

Board of Finance Public Hearing April 24, 2013 The reason for the poor attendance at these meetings is the attitude of our elected officials that they know what’s good for the taxpayers and they have presented what they think is reasonable. Differing opinions are not considered once our elected officials have forwarded their respective budgets However, we the taxpayers pay the bills and have not only a right but a responsibility to ask questions and have them answered.. At the last meeting my questions went unanswered and the budget as presented went forward, as presented. I feel the Board of Selectmen budget is a political position paper with unnecessary expenditures. The Charettes, Studies and Designs are a waste of money. The Hartford will eventually demolish the building to save money no matter how many studies are paid by the taxpayers. The Hartford’s first responsibility is to the Shareholders not to Simsbury taxpayers. This study is a charade, not a charette at taxpayer’s expense.  The budget reflects money for Greenways, Main Street Partnership, and golf which should not be paid by the taxpayers. Main Street Partnership is a non-profit organization that should be supported by the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce. The Greenways are a non-profit organization and should be self-supporting along with the Golf expenditures. How can the Town find money for all these frivolous expenditures and can’t find money to settle the Police, Highway and Dispatcher Union Contracts? The Senior Center could be incorporated into the library as it evolves into a Community Center at a greatly reduced cost.  None of these expenditures should be supported by the taxpayers. The Car wash at a cost of $275,500 is the initial cost for the erection of the facility. What is the operating cost associated with the continued use of the car wash?  The Board of Finance has increased the General Fund expenditures by adding $ 100,000 for CNR expenditures. We should not be increasing our expenditures but reducing our expenditures. Debt should be reduced, not increased in an economy that is faltering.  As our Grand List diminishes, so should our expenditures. Our property values have diminished on average 13% and revenues are lower. If the town expects to encourage business in town, taxes are of concern to business. Simsbury has the highest taxes in Valley and the town continues to increase taxes.  Increased taxes affect property values. How can the Board of Finance support an increase in the budget when all financial indicators show a downturn in the economy? I cannot support a budget that does not reflect the economic downturn. Budget expenditures should not give special consideration to large lobbying groups at the expense of the majority of the taxpayers.  I will vote NO on the budget, as presented.   Board of Education With projections of a decrease of 112 students for the 2013/14 school year, the board of education should reduce administrative costs by eliminating supporting staff. Many of the programs generated by the Board of Education are supported by Grants. It appears that the Chinese Program has no revenue to support this program. Is Chinese going to be eliminated due to no financial support? Over $3 million in Grants are allocated for programs and staff that are off line. What plan is in effect when the Grants are reduced or eliminated? How many of the Grants are time sensitive? Do the Grants cover the cost of sending a select few students to Magnet and Charter Schools?  What is the cost? CREC manages The Farmington Valley Diagnostic Center for students with emotional problems at 125 Latimer Lane. This is a regional school. Are the Simsbury students there full time? How many Simsbury Students attend? How much money is allocated for their education? How many students are home schooled in Simsbury? What is the cost to the taxpayers?  Are they counted in the reduction of 112 fewer students this year? How many students are tutored at home due to various medical issues? In order to reduce costs, could they be educated through the electronic media at home with specialized programs and eliminate tutors? Why should the taxpayers pay for alternative education for the students when the Simsbury Schools are considered above average? There is $300,000 allocated for textbooks. Why can’t the information in the textbooks be delivered electronically to the students at a much lower cost? Students should not have to carry heavy backpacks when most content is delivered electronically. The Board of Education budget increase of 1.89% is not reflective of decreased enrollment, reduced property values and reduced revenues. I cannot support an increase in the Board of Education budget, as presented. I will vote NO.