Simsbury, CT - Board of Finance Public Hearing

Paul Henault, Chairman, called the Board of Finance Public Hearing to order at 7:38 p.m. in the Simsbury High School Auditorium, 34 Farms Village Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: James Belfiore, Candace Fitzpatrick, Peter Askham, Michael Wade and Mary Glassman. Also present were Kevin Kane, Finance Director, Anita Mielert, First Selectman, Mary Margaret, Board of Education Chairman, Joseph Townsley, Superintendent of Schools, David Holden, Business Manager, members of the BOS and the BOE, and other interested parties.

Ms. Girgenti stated that the BOE budget is enrollment driven due to an anticipated increase of 192 students next year. She stated that the BOE requested a 10.98% increase to their current budget in order to maintain the budget for next year. Ms. Girgenti stated that, at the request of the BOF, the BOE reviewed their budget and reduced it to a 9% increase. She noted that no new or enhanced programs are included in the proposed budget, other than a program for medically fragile preschoolers which is mandated by the State. Ms. Girgenti reviewed the budget increases by category. She stated that the 10.98% increased budget accommodates the staff increases necessary to meet the increased enrollment needs, and the 9% budget increase will mean larger class sizes. Ms. Girgenti noted that 84% of the BOE budget is tied to staffing and 15% is tied to Special Education, as mandated by the State. She pointed out that Simsbury only receives 9% of their funding from the State and 1% from the Federal Government. She noted the outstanding results from the Simsbury school system.

Ms. Mielert stated that the BOS budget increase is 4.53%, and .53% is covered through grant funding. She reviewed the BOS budget initiatives. Ms. Mielert briefly discussed the future expansion of the Simsbury Waster Water Treatment Facility and noted that there will be no increase in the mill rate due to the expansion. She reviewed the Special Revenue Funds and the CNR Fund expenditures.

Chairman Henault reviewed the role of the BOF in the budget process. He stated that the BOF is concerned with the tax burden in this year and in future years. He noted that the decrease in education aid increases the tax burden for taxpayers in Simsbury. Chairman Henault stated that capital projects will be coming forward and the BOF needs to consider the capacity of the community to meet the expenditures.

Chairman Henault reviewed the mill rate formula. He stated that the proposed BOS and BOE budgets equate to a 7.98% budget increase would result in a projected tax increase of 7.56% which is 37 mills. He reviewed the tax increase based on assessed home values. Chairman Henault noted the capital projects which have been approved since 1995 and stated that the BOF is concerned with runaway taxes. He pointed out that if the budget continues to grow at this rate, the average tax increase each year will be 6% and by fiscal year 2005/2006 taxpayers will pay 75% more in taxes than 10 years earlier.

Beth Ballentine, 44 Baxter Way, stated that the BOE operates on a shoestring budget and significantly under-spends compared to other towns in their economic group. She stated that high Mastery Test scores equate to higher property values. She expressed concern that each year residents have to fight to maintain the basics in the schools, and stated that the BOE budget is necessary to maintain the quality of life in Simsbury.

Cynthia Carey, 51 Clifdon Drive, endorsed the BOE budget. She noted that the proposed 9% increase does not cover the expenses due to the increased enrollment, nor does it continue the current level of services. Ms. Carey stated that the Town is 127 in per pupil expenditures and they still provide a top product. She expressed concern that this has become an issue of the elderly and empty nesters versus families. She pointed out that in the past the Town did not have the costs of Special Education and technology advancements. She noted that the current work force pays more into social security to benefit the elderly.

Dave Melling, 32 Hickory Hill Road, noted that the BOE budget never meets the BOF guideline. He questioned how the BOE is controlling costs and stated that the Town cannot continue to let the budget increase. He requested that polling places be located in every precinct.

Sarah Neighbors, 315 Hopmeadow Street, stated that the 9% BOE budget increase is not a maintenance budget. She suggested that a tax increase of $200-$300 per family is worth the cost of education. She noted that decreasing the budget will increase class size and she questioned how Simsbury will attract and keep teachers as the classes become larger.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, pointed out that the Grand List growth in Simsbury is less than in other towns. She stated that the BOF is responsible for weighing need over greed. Ms. Coe expressed concern with the fact that Ethel Walker School and Westminster School are exempt from taxes and she suggested that the Town owned properties are not collecting enough revenue. She questioned specific line items within the BOS budget. Ms. Coe pointed out that this year the BOS and BOE are requesting funds from Reserves because they have overspent their budgets. She stated that increase taxes will result in decreased property values.

Dick Tesh, Bickford Street, thanked the BOS for working with the BOF and expressed concern with the budget put forward by the BOE. He questioned why the BOE ignores the budget guideline set by the BOF. Mr. Tesh stated that in the fifteen years he has lived in Simsbury his taxes have more than doubled, mostly due to the BOE budget increases. He recommended that the BOF hold the budgets to a 4% increase.

Kathy Keating, 14 Chestnut Hill Road, compared the cost of taxes based on 37.6 mills versus 37 mills. She noted that for a house with a $200,000 market value the difference is $84. She stated that she is willing to pay $7 more per month to increase the BOE budget back to 10.98%.

John Massey stated that the definition of Simsbury is schools. He expressed concern that economic development is being presented as a panacea, yet there is a finite amount of I2 land in town. He questioned the possibility and likelihood of true economic development. Mr. Massey suggested that the town needs to support what they have always supported. He stated that he does not want to be in Simsbury if the school system is not supported.

Jukka Lipponen, Ruthey’s Lane, expressed support for the Simsbury school system. He noted that the quality of life and school system in Simsbury is relative to the taxes paid. Mr. Lipponen stated that he does not want to give the BOE a blank check and questioned why there are no reductions in expenses included in the BOE budget. He suggested that there needs to be better communication with residents during the budget process.

Laura Deutsch, 10 Colonial Drive, stated that she was shocked by the list of budget cuts which came home with her child. She requested that the BOE budget be increased back to 11%. She stated that it is unacceptable to feel that larger class sizes can be justified because the school system is ranked first in the State.

Linda Briggs, Elaine Drive, requested that the BOF revisit the original BOE budget. She stated that the cuts are unacceptable for maintaining the quality of education. She suggested that the reduced budget is the beginning of the deterioration of the Simsbury schools. Ms. Briggs stated that the Town has grown and there is a need for a Town Management form of government.

Mark Bishop, 11 Laurel Lane, stated that the Town is resting on its laurels with regard to school ranking. He stated that no one wants to take ownership for the budget in Town. He suggested that if the Town can have brick sidewalks they can have a gifted program for students.

Dan Case, 9 Joyce Lane, stated that he chose to live in Simsbury because of the school system. He stated that it would be a step backward to increase class size. He questioned how guidance counselors can be cut from the budget when they are trying to improve the level of college acceptance for high school students. Mr. Case stated that if education is not a priority, Simsbury will lose their standing as the top school system. He stated that he is willing to pay the increased taxes.

John McGowan, Lawton Drive, stated that people have sat back and let things happen. He stated that he is disappointed in the comments of the BOF and the First Selectman and he suggested that the residents shouldn’t let the situation with the BOE budget happen again.

Diane Johnson, 25 Barry Lane, questioned how each of the BOF members feel regarding the BOE budget. She questioned how much funding the Town keeps in Reserves and what the Town’s philosophy is regarding Reserves. She stated that she supports the BOE budget.

Ellen Hannah, 56 Minnisunk Drive, questioned why the Town should be proud of paying as little per student as possible. She questioned the possibility of a separate tax on families with school age children. Ms. Hannah noted that gifts to the schools can be donated through the Simsbury Education Enhancement Fund. She stated that she supports the necessary budget to maintain the quality of education in Simsbury.

Susan Wapano, 1 Aspenwood, stated that the Town will be destroyed if residents move their children into private schools. She questioned what can be done to increase the BOE budget back to 10.98% and whether parents can donate funds to the school system.

Mark Brenley, 36 Windham Drive, stated that the schools are the crown jewels of Town and drive the economic value of Town. He expressed concern that the Town is coming close to receiving diminishing returns on education. Mr. Brenley stated that he is willing to pay increased taxes to a point. He questioned how the need to increase the number of businesses in Town is being addressed.

Rick Bolan, 6 North Drive, staff at Latimer Lane School, discussed the impact the loss of the DAP program and losing a para-professional would have on his day as a fourth grade teacher. He stated that struggling students receive more attention in the classroom, not the gifted students. He stated that reducing the budget puts children in a state of jeopardy and he questioned who will get the short end of the stick.

Charles Shapo, 11 Charlotte Drive, Simsbury High School Junior Class President, expressed concern with budget items 41, 42 and 43 - specifically teachers in math, science and social studies. He stated that the school is successful because the teachers are there to teach what needs to be taught. He expressed concern with the safety issue if the size of science labs is increased.

Chris Bart, 6 Glen Hollow Lane, stated that he moved to Simsbury for the school system and the quality of life. He stated that he does not want to pay higher taxes, but would do so to continue to have the school system and the quality of life associated with Simsbury.

Diane Loge, 14 Pondside Lane, stated that she moved to Simsbury for the school system and is concerned that the school system will be slipping. She stated that people will be less willing to move to Simsbury without the existing school system. Ms. Loge expressed concern with the increased class size and the elimination of the DAP program. She expressed a willingness to pay increased taxes to maintain the 10.98% budget. She stated that if the 9% budget is sent to referendum it will not be the voters making the decision on the budget increase, it will be the BOF.

Joanne Ferry, 59 Munnisunk, questioned why the Police Department would be renovated when funds are needed for classrooms. She questioned whether voters will have an opportunity to vote on the 10.98% budget increase if a 9% increase is defeated at referendum.

Vicki Socher, 8 Musket Trail, stated that the public was left out of the BOS’s decision regarding the new high school. She noted that at the March 20th BOE meeting, held at 5:00 p.m., budget cuts were made which had not been discussed at the previous BOE meeting. She questioned whether the BOE regrets the budget cuts after hearing the comments at tonight’s Public Hearing.

Mike Powers, Lawton Drive, stated that a lot of the BOE’s costs are due to staffing and spending has not kept up with the averages in the State. He noted that the Town needs to increase their commercial tax base. He stated that he supports the increased BOE budget which equates to an increase of $1-$2 per day for residents.

Jane McAlpine, 1 Scarborough Drive, expressed concern with the projected tax increase over the next several years. She pointed out that Simsbury spends 20% less than the State average for elementary and middle school education, yet 17% more than the average for high school education. She noted some of the elective courses offered at the high school. Ms. McAlpine questioned the BOE’s long term plan for the schools. She noted that the quality of education has not suffered in Simsbury. She suggested that the elective courses may suffer due to budget cuts, but it is also important to teach fiscal responsibility.

Eileen Ustis, 7 Windham Drive, noted Chairman Henault’s chart outlining the increase in per pupil cost. She questioned how much of that increase is attributed to Special Education requirements. She stated that the average student needs to be addressed through the budget.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, suggested that budget cuts should be made in extracurricular activities, not programs which are an advantage for students. She suggested that the escalating Special Education costs be reviewed by the Town Attorney to see if some items could be addressed through health insurance coverage. She stated that the BOE should aggressively address funding in this area. Ms. Coe recommended that regional schools be used for vocational education. She stated that the Town cannot afford the budgets which have been presented. She stated that the Town will tax themselves out of the market.

Bob Moran, 18 Old Mill Court, BOE member, stated that it is the Town’s responsibility to provide the best possible education to every student, based on their level to learn. He expressed concern with a comment suggesting that students who have difficulty learning should be sent to a State facility. He stated that Dr. Townsley and the BOE understand how to educate a child.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, stated that she is suggesting that alternative ways for funding be considered for an expensive project. She stated that she is concerned with what the Town can and cannot afford and recommends that they look at other forms of revenue.