Questions every citizen should ask ...
- HAS THE BOARD EVER MADE AN ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS DEFINED IN THE SCOPE OF THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN ESTIMATE FROM WHICH THE EDUCATION SPECIFICATION IS CREATED?
- DOES THE PROJECT AS PRESENTED REFLECT THE RESULTS OF RESULTS OF AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT AND THE BOE?
- WHOSE WISHES DO THE ARCHITECTUAL DRAWINGS REFLECT?
- UPON WHOSE AUTHORITY WAS THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT DEFINED AND SENT TO THE ARCHITECT?
- WHY DID THE ARCHITECTS BEGIN DRAWING BEFORE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REVIEWED AND DEFINED THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT?
- WHY IS THE PROJECT BEING INTRODUCTED TO THE TOWN BEFORE EVEN THE MOST RUDIMENTARY BOARD OF EDUCATION OVERSIGHT HAS OCCURRED?
- DOES THE PROJECT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE BOE'S ASSESSMENT OF WHAT OUR SCHOOLS NEED, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE?
2 comments:
The Misery Index was initiated by Chicago economist Robert Barro in the 1970's. It is simply the unemployment rate added to the inflation rate. It is assumed that both a higher rate of unemployment and a worsening of inflation both create economic and social costs for a country. A combination of rising inflation and more people of out work implies a deterioration in economic performance and a rise in the Misery Index.
The New Fairfield verison of the national Misery Index is the Annual budget increase of 3.5% added to the inflation rate 2.54% plus proposed School building project rate of 20% which give us the New Fairfield Misery Index of 26% in taxes!!!
CLUE(LESS)GAME in NEW FAIRFIELD…or: Who done it to the taxpayers?
At the second B.O.E. meeting, a presentation of Professor Plum’s plan for the pillage of our treasury was presented, again, without – as one citizen asked- a plan “B”. Asked of the Prof.: “what if the citizens reject this…?” The answer: there is no plan “B”.
Over ONE HUNDRED MILLION! Take it or leave it – no options. Will this crime be committed in the new Billiard Room? No, most likely in the Auditorium. That will require a new Field House; not to mention what will become of the old auditorium. Who’s guilty? The good Prof. claims that it is not his plan. But, we all know who will pay in the end: Mr. Green – our tax dollars at work.
The weapon is without question the Lead Pipe approach. We know not of the individual costs of each project, nor the priorities of each. What are the costs of the “critical elements of concern” as presented in the first presentation? What is the hierarchy? Is a new auditorium necessary in lieu of refurbishment; again, the cost? Maybe the citizens can decide what elements are most important based on costs and necessity: plain-Jane Mrs. White or the expensive trimmings of a Miss Scarlett.
In the Library we were seduced with unexplained “energy efficient” and “energy management” plans such as replacing lighting fixtures and adding a hot water boiler heating system. Why Wrench- out good systems? According to G.E., to upgrade to more efficient fluorescent tubes you replace the ballast and tube, not the entire fixture. New tubes will fit into old fixtures. As to the heating, a co-generation modular diesel generator should, at least, be considered. This not only generates electricity for the already-in-place heating system but produces excess heat that is also brought into the building. All this with a massive rebate, by state law ( Public Act 05-01) from C.L.& P., and possible grants from FERC and Homeland Security as this would then be a self powered emergency shelter for the town’s residents.
Take the Knife out of our backs and the Rope from around our necks and let us decide what is more important as well as give us the alternatives. The most important alternative may be this entire plan of refurbishment. Prof. Plum lives in New Milford and is certainly aware that his own town built a brand new three story high school, in 2000, for over 1500 students at UNDER 50M. Even with inflation, that’s a large, NEW school (with a planetarium/observatory thrown in) for about HALF of this fix-up plan. Maybe we should ask why get a refurbished Study, Hall when we can get a Ball Room for much less money?
If the state estimate for a student reduction is correct at 22.5%, or about 650 to 700 students in ten years, then why not consider closing the Meeting House school as this figure just about equals the three grades in that school. It may be cheaper to put additions on to the other schools and split the grades between them. This would then give the town a reasonably large building to modify for the expanded needs of: the town Hall, Library, Conservatory and/or education administration, thus eliminating another new building project.
Speaking of money, again, light the Candlestick and shed some light on that interest rate of over 5%. from a small local bank. One good citizen asked his banker, a very large international one, and was told that the rate for a loan of this size should be 3+%.
Many, many questions – very few answers. The good Professor should get together with the usual suspects of his Kitchen cabinet and come up with some concrete alternatives and priorities along with their estimates and Knife out all of the fat with alternative plans: “B”, C, D, etc. Then we may be able to Lounge in the belief that we are getting the most bang for our hard earned bucks without having a Revolver to our collective heads.
ONE HUNDRED NINE MILLION FIFTY TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY SIX DOLLARS – try writing that on one of your checks.
“A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money.” – Attributed to Colonel Mustard, who also asked: “What’s the last $66 for?”
All puns intended with apologies to Parker Bros.
Bob Stryker
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