Post-Election Legislative Council Agenda

We have talked a lot about the need to get an IPN majority in the Legislative Council if we want to see significant change in the next two years.  IPN’s reps on the Council, Po Murray and Gary Davis, have had solid success moving issues forward, including recognition for the need for better long-range planning, improvements to the Capital Improvement Plan process, and better communication between local government and citizens.  Just think what could be accomplished if more like-minded individuals joined them on the new Council.

Here’s what the IPN LC candidates have in mind if an IPN majority is elected to the Council:

Fairfield Hills ordinance: A new approach needs to be considered for development of Fairfield Hills.  That can only start by reviewing the ordinance governing Fairfield Hills to determine whether it should be revised.  Any revisions start with ensuring future spending proposals for Fairfield Hills go through all appropriate town processes, is given thoughtful deliberation, and is transparent to the voters, all of which has been sorely lacking.  IPN Legislative Council members Po Murray and Gary Davis proposed the Council review the ordinance, but could not get any other sitting member of the Council to support such a review at the time it was proposed.

Improve town financial processes:  IPN’s Legislative Council members Po Murray and Gary Davis have spearheaded a review of the town’s CIP process that has been a catalyst for positive change in this process.  We need to undertake a similar review of the town budget process to ensure that it is as efficient and transparent as possible, and maximizes input from taxpayers.

Long-range planning:  We need a to create a real long-range plan and process to better address the needs of our community in a fashion that helps stabilize taxes and keeps Newtown affordable.  The current Legislative Council, at the behest of IPN’s Council members Po Murray and Gary Davis, has twice unanimously urged the Board of Selectmen to undertake such a plan.  Po and Gary have written the Board of Selectmen asking how they plan to star this process, but have received no response.  We will make getting a long-range planning process started a priority.

Operating Practices:  Democratic Legislative Council member Dan Amaral spearheaded creation of the Council’s Ad Hoc Facilities Committee with the full support of Gary Davis and Po Murray (Po request to be added to the Committee this year was denied by Council Chair Will Rodgers).  The committee is reviewing town and school district operations to see what synergies might be found to save taxpayers money.  We look forward to learning of the committee’s recommendations when they are released after the election.  We support creation of a new Council subcommittee that will have a focus on making town and school district operations as efficient as possible to continue to encourage the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education to maximize operating efficiencies to the benefit of the taxpayer.

Improved Communications:  IPN has long espoused the need for improved communications between local government and Newtown residents.  Gary Davis made this a priority when he came to the Council.   The Council created an Communications Subcommittee chaired by Republican Council member Pat Llodra, who is on the committee with Gary Davis and Republican Jeff Capeci.  The committee’s focus has been limited to date on ensuring that the appropriate audio/video equipment is installed in the new town hall so that town meetings can be broadcast.  The committee also was instrumental in having this year’s budget review broadcast on Channel 17 and placed on You Tube.  We believe the scope of the Communications Subcommittee needs to expand to include investigating how we can better use the town website and other digital communications to inform residents of ongoing government activities, as well as community events and the diversity of our local business community.

Tax Reform:  Newtown government needs to be more aggressive in pushing the state to provide local communities flexibility in how they levy taxes.  The forced reliance on property taxes as the sole way to raise significant revenue for town and school district operations is crippling.  It ties local government’s hands in implementing tax reform that will keep our town affordable while providing the revenue necessary for maintaining and improving town/school/recreational facilities, having Blue Ribbon schools and providing reasonable town services.