Wilton Democratic Town Committee

Board of Selectmen Report provided by Ted Hoffstatter

Budget FY2011

Again the Board of Selectmen has formally asked each town department and board to entertain a budget scenario of flat or a "what if" scenario of a 5% decrease.

My Take: Same as last month… while this may seem harsh, it is necessary. We are going through a difficult budget cycle not only because tax revenues may decrease, but because our union obligations always increase. I am a union guy; a member of several. At the same time, I realize the burden of the taxpayer at the municipal level.

This coming budget season, I would hope we could gain concessions that would prevent us from cutting people. That’s the last thing I want to do at present – my hope is that we may negotiate successfully across the board if every town department is willing to compromise. We can’t ask one department or group to compromise if another one refuses to. This needs to be a town wide, team effort.

Tri-Board Working Committee

This committee consists of Board of Selectmen (BOS) members Susan Bruschi and Richard Creeth, Board of Finance (BOF) members Jim Meinhold and Al Alper, along with Karen Birck from the Board of Education (BOE). The purpose of the committee is to get out in front of this year’s budget challenges.

My Take: I am very pleased that Richard Creeth was added to the committee, as the committee originally only had one BOS member on it.

I feel it is important that both political parties are represented from the BOS.

Plastic Bag Ordinance

Jonathan Cunitz, who was the mastermind behind the plastic bag ordinance adopted in Westport earlier this year, will be speaking at our February 1^st Board of Selectmen meeting. The Westport ordinance bans plastic bags used for retail checkout. The ordinance clearly defines what "retail checkout bags" are; it does not affect deli or produce purchases, nor does it affect businesses such as dry cleaners or art/frame stores, who need plastic to protect their goods.

 

My Take: This is my pet project at the moment. I met Jonathan about a month ago after several phone conversations, and asked him to speak at our February 1^st BOS meeting about Westport’s experience with their ordinance. He was very positive. The ordinance gained bi partisan support in their RTM, passing 25-5-1. The ordinance was also supported by the Westport Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Merchants’ Association. So far, there have been no challenges to the ordinance.

I feel that with Wilton has the opportunity to join Westport as a leadership town on this issue. Because of the aerodynamics of plastic retail checkout bags, a large number end up in our waterways, and eventually contribute to the plastic garbage patch that is twice the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean. The damage to wildlife is heartbreaking. The idea is that by using cloth, recyclable bags when we shop, we can help the environment.

I hope this idea spreads! I hope our Board supports it. If you are interested, I can send you all sorts of Jonathan’s research. If you could write a letter to the editor supporting the idea and/or attend our February 1^st BOS meeting, that would also be a huge help. Most recently, I reached out to Toni Boucher, who is supportive. If this effort is to succeed, as with most, it requires bi partisan support.

Elderly Tax Relief

The Board of Finance has $850,000 slotted for this in their FY2011 budget model. The Committee, headed by Judy Zucker, presented an extensive report to the Board of Selectmen on the subject this past month. In a nutshell, they recommend the program remain needs based, and made modest changes to increase the support for seniors.

My Take: The report is excellent. I support the recommendations as is, provided they fall within the $850,000 that will probably be allotted. Still waiting on some final numbers. If it comes down to it, though, I prefer expanding the tax credit and not the deferral, as the deferral is too similar to a reverse mortgage for my taste.

Elderly Tax Relief

The Board of Finance has $850,000 slotted for this in their FY2011 budget model. The Committee, headed by Judy Zucker, presented an extensive report to the Board of Selectmen on the subject this past month. In a nutshell, they recommend the program remain needs based, and made modest changes to increase the support for seniors.

My Take: The report is excellent. I support the recommendations as is, provided they fall within the $850,000 that will probably be allotted. Still waiting on some final numbers. If it comes down to it, though, I prefer expanding the tax credit and not the deferral, as the deferral is too similar to a reverse mortgage for my taste.

Dog Ordinance/Town Playing Fields

Parks and Recreation wants a stronger ordinance concerning dogs near playing fields. They are proposing that no dogs should be within fifty feet of any playing field – with exceptions for paths that cross near a field, such as with Merwin. The driver is that there has been too much dog droppings on fields, some altercations between dogs, and the concern that players may crash into dogs.

My Take: The concern is legitimate. Unfortunately, the current ordinance is not effectively enforced; dogs are already prohibited from fields. While I agree dogs should not be on fields, I feel fifty feet is too prohibitive for those responsible owners with well behaved, leashed dogs. I would like to see Parks and Rec. further clarify. I would like to know how we could more effectively enforce what we finally decide upon.

Troop Boxes

Trackside is now also helping with the troop box drive. They were featured recently on News 12 for their efforts!

My Take: This is great, because the drive needs help! Our troops are working hard for us, far away from home. Please grab a flat rate box that I have put at the entrance of town hall, along with a list of items needed. Boxes can be filled and returned to Town Hall – just let us know what you put in them! We can also accept donations for shipping; checks can be made payable to the Wilton Town Hall Troop Box Drive. FYI, at present we do have money to ship, but no boxes to ship, so please, take a box!

Contact Selectman Ted Hoffstatter any time with comments or questions via email or phone at (203) 451-5049.