Wilton Democratic Town Committee

Board of Selectmen Report provided by Ted Hoffstatter

Budget FY2011

We are currently reviewing the Selectmen’s budget, department by department. We are hoping to come in flat, or a little below, as a flat budget will still result in an approximately 2% increase due to contractual obligations.

My Take: I believe it is especially prudent to be fiscally conservative at a municipal level as it affects our capital bond rating. We have just been approved again, by Moody’s, as a AAA rated town. Once a town loses this ability to borrow for capital projects at a low rate, it almost never gets it back. At the same time, we cannot compromise public safety. We may have to cut back on some services, which is regrettable, but may be necessary. So far, most budgets have come in at a reasonable level, so I am not seeing any major problems right now.

Wilton Commons

George Ciaccio, Richard Creeth, and the group are still working hard to make this affordable housing complex for seniors a reality. The Wilton Commons group has a meeting with Jim Himes’ Appropriations leader tomorrow morning.

My Take: At George’s request, I was more than happy to facilitate this face-to-face discussion through our friend Kathleen Warner. It is a difficult process, but I will do all I can to help them along.

Plastic Bag Ordinance

Jonathan Cunitz, who was the mastermind behind the plastic bag ordinance adopted in Westport earlier this year, gave a very well received presentation at our BOS meeting on Feb. 1^st.

 

My Take: My pet project at the moment. I met Jonathan about two months 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! 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, that would also be a huge help! I will keep you posted on this exciting possibility!

Dog Ordinance/Town Playing Fields

Parks and Rec. still wants a stronger ordinance concerning dogs near playing fields. They have adjusted their fifty feet ban of dogs near playing fields to twenty five feet – with exceptions for paths that cross near a field, such as with Merwin. The driver is that there has been too much dog excrement on fields, some altercations between dogs, and the concern that players may crash into dogs.

My Take: The concern is, again, 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 still feel that even twenty five feet is too harsh for all fields. The stadium and Lilly Field may be legitimate, but I do not want to burden good owners with good dogs from attending all sporting events. We are still working on this!

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!

DSCC Report – 2010 Races

Virtually all of our Democratic Candidates for 2010 on a State and National level attended the Fat Cat Pie Company Rally in Norwalk last night! Dick Blumenthal, Jim Himes, Ned Lamont, Dan Malloy, Rudy Marconi, Mary Glassman, Susan Bysiewicz, George Jepsen, Nancy Wyman, Denise Napier, and many others were on hand. News 12 covered the event, and it was a front cover story on the Norwalk Hour today!

My Take: The concern is legitimate. : Lots of fun, thanks so much to the DTC for chipping in $50!! Feedback tells me we need to do more of these regional events! Fat Cat is ready to help, and we also welcome different ideas and venues as well.

Finally, DSCC meetings are open to Dems, so feel free to join us anytime! I usually carpool up with my fellow delegate Martha Aasen; let us know if you are ever interested in attending!

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