IPN Accomplishments Since 2007

In 2007, the candidates representing the new Independent Party of Newtown declared their intention to work with the town’s citizens to create an improved quality of life for our community and to forge a government that is of the people, by the people and for the people.   We are proud that the IPN has played a significant role in many of the improvements to our local government that we advocated in 2007 be put into place.  Did we achieve everything we set out to do?  No.  Were we the impetus behind many of the positive changes we have seen in local governance in the past four years?  Absolutely.  If anything, IPN has played the same role that the great Reggie Jackson fulfilled during his time with the New York Yankees:  we are the straw that stirs the drink.  In the last four years, IPN has successfully advanced its core objectives of greater accountability, checks and balances, and transparency in government, and for encouraging a more responsive government each of which we continue to solidify. 

Diversity in Local Government

One of the goals of IPN was to a greater choice in the candidates who ran for public office to infuse new thinking into local government.  This goal has been achieved in many ways.  Currently, IPN has a total of 17 people elected to public office or serving on appointed boards and commission: 

Legislative Council:  Kevin Fitzgerald (D), Gary Davis (R) and James Belden (R)

Board of Selectmen:  Bill Furrier (R)

Board of Education:  Bill Hart (R-BOE Chair), David Nanavaty (D) and Richard Gaines (D)

Police Commission: Bruce Walczak (I) and Neil Randle (I)

Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers: Karen Pierce (I) 

Commission on Aging:  Joan Plouffe (U)

Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee:  Ben Roberts (D), Mike Mossbarger (R) and Nancy Roznicki (D)

Public Building and Site Commission:  Roger Letso (D)

Sustainable Energy Commission:  Ben Roberts (D)

Cultural Arts Commission:  Donna Randle (I)

In addition, many of the people serving currently in local government representing the two traditional political parties are new or serving in different positions.

Improving Communication Between Government and Constituents

IPN provided a new voice for information through its newsletter, the Independent Party Express.  It advocated for greater communication via the town website and email notification of government meeting agendas, minutes and other town information.  Indeed, Legislative Council member Gary Davis made such a proposal at his first meeting in 2007. 

Today, town government offers all these communication tools to town residents, in addition to video on demand of many town meetings and the town budget process.  In addition, through the advocacy of the IPN, Legislative Council has taken the unprecedented step of opening up one of its public comment periods to allow residents to raise any item they wish at a Council meeting.

Greater Transparency in Government

IPN encouraged more information be provided regarding the budget and capital projects on the town and school web sites. It also promoted changes that lead to more effective and understandable capital planning, including the budget processes.

Today, most town documents, including budget and capital project information, can be found on the town website in easy to understand formats. These documents are updated on a regular basis.

Improved Governance and Public Input into Fairfield Hills

IPN has been an insistent voice for better oversight and public input into planning and activities at Fairfield Hills. IPN asked for a thorough review of activities at Fairfield Hills and a reassessment of the Master Plan for that property and continued to insist that future capital projects at Fairfield Hills follow all town processes.

Today, a Master Plan Review Committee is well on its way to completing its review and recommendations for updating the outdated Fairfield Hills Master Plan.  The Legislative Council recently modified the Fairfield Hills ordinance to require the town to go through the special appropriations process to get public input into any lease agreements that require financial or in-kind support from the town.

Better Long-range Planning

IPN successfully encouraged the Legislative Council to twice unanimously endorse and request that the Board of Selectmen start a strategic long-range planning process and do more long-range planning. 

Today, IPN championed recent Legislative Council recommendations that the objectives in the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development be integrated into the operational activities and performance objectives for municipal and education employees.  IPN representative on the Police Commission were instrumental in the creation of a comprehensive traffic policy and in the creation of traffic calming regulations; developed a new review process for the Chief of Police and an exit interview policy to learn more from departing officers.

Successful Advocates for Education

IPN has been staunch supporter of our education system.  IPN provided critical support for the approvals for the latest high school expansion and advocated for a more expeditious repair schedule for our schools.  It also advocated better long-range planning for our schools and for appropriate financial support for education in the town budget.

Today, we have an expanded high school and improved athletic facilities that will serve our community for many years, opening up more educational opportunities and flexibility for the education of Newtown youth.  The high school has taken of the “watch list” of the New England Association of School and Colleges. There is a more aggressive repair schedule in place for our schools.  The Board of Education and school administration have a long-range strategic plan whose objectives are being infused into daily operations.