I Was Extremely Disappointed That The Budget Failed
Via email from the “Education Mom”.
Hello-
I am confused by this website, but, I would like to post this to all the readers. I would love to hear their input. Is that possible or do I just have to comment? If so, I don’t know where to comment. I don’t agree with extreme positions but I did like a few of the thoughts that I have read.
I was extremely disappointed that the budget failed on May 11th! I don’t want to see teacher cuts and I love the school, teachers, administrators and support personnel. I am sorry that Dr. Menzo is leaving. I think that all of the members of various boards donate their time and I am grateful for that.
I am concerned about the recent compromise. I think that it is extremely unwise to tap into the town’s reserves of money that are there for a rainy day. A big emergency may arise in the future and the stimulus money will disappear in two years. It is great that, because of stimulus money and a decrease in high need special education expenditures, as well as, a surplus for this year, that the school can keep all of the teacher positions. I think that the May 11th budget took a lot of work and kudos to the board of education and the board of finance for crafting it. I don’t know where else cuts can occur. I don’t want the trooper to be cut, the food bank etc., but unfortunately, I can’t afford a tax increase and I don’t want the surplus touched. I will probably vote no for the next budget unless someone convinces me otherwise.
I don’t want a tax increase and I believe that it is wiser to have the money in the residents and the parents hands. The parents can then be less stressed and provide a better environment for their children. They can use the money for college savings, to buy an educational book or game or to take a trip to enrich their child’s experiences. For those who have extra money for taxes, I truly am happy for you and I am sure that you will make donations to the school and the PTO that will continue to enhance the children’s education-God bless all of you who make such donations, you really are heroes for all of our children!
I feel blessed to live in this community and I am sure that we can come together to support all of the towns needs, to respect those who are challenged by these economic times, and to keep the strong reserve in case we face darker days or a true emergency.
Respectfully,
Education Mom
editor: If would like to post just email the post to editor@mainstreet-ct.com Thanks for the post!
The teachers need to forgo their raises for this year. Majority of other school districts have voluntarily given concessions. Marlborough is known throughout the state as being “top-heavy” with administrators and support staff, it is about time we trimmed the fat and either funnel the money to the classrooms or use it to temper any tax increase.
Just a quick question as to which districts are freezing their pay? I have not heard of any. I know the state employees have voted to do this. I am not sure it’s an entirely bad idea, I was just curious as to which districts you were referring to as the majority.
The teachers and the town employees have a contract. It can only be reopened with their approval, and they said no.
From what I know teachers in only one town in the state of CT have given concessions…Colchester. I wouldn’t go as far as saying “the majority” of schools have done this!!
“I was extremely disappointed that the budget failed on May 11th! I don’t want to see teacher cuts and I love the school, teachers, administrators and support personnel.”
Okay, so you’re for the budget, because you love the school and it’s employees? You’re certainly entitled to feel that way, or any way you like. I personally subject things to a little more scrutiny before voting to hand over my hard earned money, but hey… to each his/her own.
“I can’t afford a tax increase and I don’t want the surplus touched. I will probably vote no for the next budget unless someone convinces me otherwise.”
Um, okay — so you don’t want a tax increase, but you were extremely disappointed the budget failed, yet this next time around you’ll vote against it? I’m a bit confused. It now sounds like you’re against the budget. Is that solely because of the surplus fund issue?
“I don’t want a tax increase and I believe that it is wiser to have the money in the residents and the parents hands.”
Okay, got it. You’re definitely against the tax increase, and now its because you’ve wisely convinced yourself that you’re better off holding on to your own money, than blindly handing it over based on emotional feelings towards a school and its employees.
I commend you on reasoning it out in a public forum.
“I think that all of the members of various boards donate their time and I am grateful for that.”
Yes, most donate their, however others are paid very nicely and are receiving raises this year.
So, Education Mom, welcome to the group which thinks the government can do better job with what they have already. $10,000 per child is certainly enough to educate the town’s children in a responsible and fulfilling manner.
Be sure you stick to your guns and vote, “No”, and the next meeting!
@David Durel
Sorry, left out two words:
“Yes, most donate their TIME, however…”
“…the government can do A better job…”
Education Mom:
Consider the logic that went into the BOE’s push to vote down the ENTIRE town budget. They wanted an additional $25K in a budget that is almost $7M — that’s 0.4% of their budget. This should tell you how selfish their motive is with regard to the community as a whole. THEY CAMPAIGNED FOR A 0.4% INCREASE IN THEIR BUDGET AND ENCOURAGED PARENTS TO VOTE DOWN THE WHOLE BUDGET AFTER TEACHERS’ JOBS AND INCREASES WERE GUARANTEED!
This was not about children or the quality of education in the school — it was about politics and their complete disregard for the community. They acted like a spoiled child in a shopping cart who would not stop whining until mommy bought them a cookie.
Don’t forget that much of the spending squeeze was created by the BOE itself. They agreed to the teachers’ raises — some of whom will receive 6% increases this coming year. The budget that went to vote still had a full time superintendent in the mix — couldn’t the BOE cover their $25K “shortfall” with the money they would save getting a PT superindendent?
Of course it’s a bad idea to steal from the town’s savings account to pay hush money to spoiled children. Even worse, think of the precedent this sets…..irrespective of the needs of the community, these BOE members and their suppporters will campaign to extort 0.4% from taxpayers to prove they can. Now they have a blueprint for doing this year after year….it’ll happen again next year.
I honestly believe that there is leadership on the BOF that will listen — vote this budget down and give those people a chance to craft a fair budget that addresses the entire town’s needs and doesn’t simply pay hush money.
The budget as presented at the May 11th Town Meeting did NOT include any teacher cuts or class size increases. Yet it was voted down. There were a lot of peopel who voted NO because they are looking for lower taxes but if even a few of the parents who were calling for additional funds for the BOE had supported the budget it would have passed.
Just two days after the May 11th vote Bill Black attended the May 13th BOF meeting and submitted a letter to the BOF from himself and Joe Labella asking for more funds for the BOE. The result was the additional $20,000 from the town’s reserve fund. Selectman Riva Clark was excluded from that input since she is the Republican minority member and they did not call a legal meeting to get her input. Outside of a legally posted meeting Bill and Joe cannot communicate with Riva since doing so would be considered a quorum and violation of FOI laws. Such is the situation when you have a three member BOS. The minority member is left out in the cold.
@David Durel
David,
I was very happy “Education Mom” took the time to write a letter. Her thought process is very reflective of the conversation I hear at Soccer.
She may not have been “thinking in public” but rather illustrating how she arrived at her current position.
We need more letters like this!
Thanks All.
I was glad to see this letter, as it echos many of my own sentiments. I realize there are those who feel so strongly about these issues that for them things are black and white, they can’t quite see the grey areas. I can definitely understand the emotional sentiment when the budget itself deals with our children, people’s jobs, livelihoods and futures – isn’t that what has brought out so much anger and concern? One can have an opinion that tapping into town reserves is a bad idea, and raising taxes is the wrong thing to do, while at the same time understanding the other sides’ viewpoint. We all have to realize that everyone has an equal vote, and simply alienating anyone who has an opposing view, or a different mathod of coming to the same view is not constructive.
Thanks to everyone who shares an opinion and helps the BOF craft the best budget for the town as a whole.
@Bob Clarke
Whether that conclusion had been derived before, or during the construction of her letter really doesn’t matter — but, point taken.
Perhaps my response came across wrong. I was not criticizing her. I commend her for arriving at a logical conclusion.
Why should the teachers forgo their raised when the municipal workers did not forgo theirs? I am not sure where you are getting your info about teacher concessions but I haven’t even heard of towns asking their town employees to do this!
David:
You are obviously very upset about what has been going on with our town budget and have a great deal to say about the topic. I do find it interesting that I have never seen or heard you at ANY of the meetings except for maybe the May 11th vote. It is very easy to pass judgement from the bleachers not as easy when you actually have facts!
I do however have some advice for you after reading your outrageous letter in the Rivereast this past Friday….you are obviously struggling financially and I am truly sorry about this and know you are not alone but the sewers were voted on a long time ago and I am pretty sure the children and the teachers at the school did not vote to install them…so why you are taking out your frustrations on them is beyond me. Here goes the advice….sell your home and move to a town where the schools are sub par…I have no idea whether you have children or not but you obviously do not value education….I only know this from your ridiculous statements in the paper last week….coloring and pasting…abc’s and 123′s…really David. In a town with large class sizes, no supplies or resources your taxes will surely be less and then you will have to find someone else to blame for your troubles!
I am not sure when the last time you stepped foot into a school but I do encourage you to contact the administration at MES and ask to spend the day in a class….any day….any class….and then let’s see how you feel about education and teachers!
Hush money to spoiled children…where do you get these things from!!!!
@Anonymous
) HAHA
THANK YOU, Very well stated. MES is far more than Abc’s and 123….but man can those kids color
@Anonymous
Dear “Anonymous”:
What facts am I misquoting? I cannot attest to whether you yourself have attended any meetings, as you’re posing anonymously. Regardless, attending meetings is not the only method to obtain information. If you’re solely basing your assumptions on information divulged at meetings, I invite you to pick up a copy of the BOE and town’s budget, and do some actual research. Meeting minutes (although never a complete record) are available online at the town’s website.
While I have published how the sewers will affect me financially, and what choices I’ve made to offset those charges, I have never stated that I am struggling, financially. You apparently were unable to derive the point that no government deserves blind obedience and a blank check, and that the WPCA’s funding model is wholly unfair to those in the sewer district. My neighbors and I take a double hit with the so-called “benefit assessment” of $12,000 – $15,000 for a pipe buried in front of our homes, plus the property tax increase for the town’s debt load. I can only assume that you are not within the district, so you won’t see that $1300 “benefit assessment” bill in your mailbox every summer for the next 20 years.
If you are doing so well financially that you enjoy blindly handing out your money to anyone who screams loud enough, feel free to mail me a check for the “benefit assessment” charge every year. That way, you’ll get exactly what I will get from the sewer. A payment to construct something I’ll never use.
As for the sewer vote, you’re “pretty sure the children and the teachers at the school did not vote to install them”? I’ll agree that the children didn’t, but how on earth would you come to that conclusion regarding the teachers? I’m not privy to any non-elected resident’s voting record. Are you? Further, the purported engineering issues with the school’s septic system very well did influence the townspeople in voting in the sewer. And, I am perfectly aware of when the sewers were voted in and invite you to visit my blog and re-acquaint yourself with the facts by downloading the sewer flyer distributed to residents just prior to the vote.
As for your advice — ingenious — thank you! Please wish me luck in finding someone in this economy to purchase my home, which comes with a delightful $10,000 annual payment to the town for bathroom privileges. That person can apparently count on annually increasing tax payments to a town handcuffed by unions, townspeople willing to believe anything their BOE states, and a first selectman who line items in pay raises almost annually, while his constituents lose their jobs. I cannot believe that I did not arrive at your well thought out solution, myself.
You intimate that I have something against teachers and education. This is untrue, as my son just graduated from UCONN. You elect to miss the point, which was, there is waste and politicking involved in the BOE’s spending plans. There are more frugal ways of accomplishing many things, which seems to be overlooked in favor of status quo spending.
Lastly, I am truly glad you found my letter outrageous enough to become involved (albeit anonymously, but that’s okay) and voice your opinions. As a Marlborough resident and taxpayer, you’re certainly entitled to do so — just as am I.
David
I have been at every single meeting and have read the BOE and BOF budgets…I guess I can say the same for you…very easy to read a document and post all night on a blog but not attend a meeting. You are absolutely right.. I do not live in the sewer district but wish I did have sewers….and why should anyone pay for your sewers….are you going to pay for my septic if it goes?
The fact that the school renovations have something to do with the sewers again is not the problem of the children of this town. I am pretty sure that the septic for the school was a VERY shortsighted decision by those involved in the renovation process…I am pretty sure Cathy Gadinski headed that project….maybe you should ask her to help you pay. My comment about the teachers meant that how many teachers do you think live in town? Enough to sway a vote??
I am very glad you value education but I do find that terribly hard to believe. I do not have to INTIMATE anything…Did you not state in the paper that the school should cut class sizes b/c more children in a class would not effect coloring…really… you expect me to believe you value education. Congratulations on your child graduating from UCONN…let me guess you don’t have ANY children in the Elementary school….that seems to be the consensus in this town…look out for your own….once your child is out of the school it is not important anymore!
I do not need your ignorant comments to get me involved…I have been involved from the start and are determined to see it through.
As for selling your home…trust me there are buyers out there…I have a friend who just sold her home for $560,000….I truly hope you take both of my opinions seriously….you are OBVIOUSLY unhappy with the way this town is run so maybe you should find a town that meets your needs and I am pretty sure I did not read that you were going to contact the school about spending the day in a class to help out with “coloring”.
Just for your info….I have not spoken to one person who read your letter who did not consider it a JOKE!! Unfortunately I have to post anonymously since I have been personally attacked and my children are affected by it!! Those are the people you are following…those who personally attack a mother and upset her children….upstanding people!!
@Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for making my points. Allow me to illustrate:
“why should anyone pay for your sewers”
You, Anonymous, and everyone else should most definitely pay for the sewer, as it is a town betterment project. They are not “my” sewers. It is the town’s sewer project, upon which you were allowed to vote. You were given the opportunity to dictate that a small portion of the town be disproportionately burdened with the costs of a town betterment project.
Do you never visit the lake? The lake will be ever so much cleaner because of the sewer. You benefit there. We already know your children go to school and I assume use the available facilities. You benefit there. And, don’t you know that our business park is going to fill up ASAP, now that we have a sewer? You’ll definitely benefit in an equal manner as the rest of us, when the town lowers our taxes due to all the big business we’ve attracted (that will be the day!)
By your logic, I shouldn’t have to pay for YOUR children to be educated. Continuing, I shouldn’t pay for funding the library. I don’t use it. I shouldn’t pay for the town’s photocopier leases. I don’t use them. I could go on all night with this, but I think you get the point. You don’t get to pick and choose what you pay for when it comes to a town betterment project. You live here, you were allowed to vote (I was not), so you should be equally responsible for every town project. On the other hand, if you think it costs too much, then you should have voted, “NO”, just as I am voting no on this budget. It’s unfair that you get out of the bill now that piper comes calling.
“are you going to pay for my septic if it goes?”.
Ah, your most damaging point to my argument, yes? No, I most certainly will not pay for your septic. Luckily, that responsibility was not forced upon me by a town vote, unlike my situation. Will you pay my $300 – $500 annual usage fee? Nope, but, you can pay $200 a year — heck — pay it twice a year, and have your tank pumped. I’ve got to hire a contractor at my expense to come crush and fill mine, then fork out more money for the electricity to run the grinder pump; which is in direct contradiction to the sewer the townspeople approved. Are you going to pay for that? When my neighborhood’s wells dry up because our ground water is getting shipped of to East Hampton, are you going to pay for our new wells? No, I didn’t think so.
And, finally, using your mentality, why should –I- have to pay for everyone else’s sewers, should I not connect? Why has the WPCA crafted a waiver for those only with functioning systems 10 years old or less? Why is this waiver not available to all residents with functioning systems not wishing to connect? Because, Anonymous, that will increase your property tax — and we can obviously tell that you’re not interested in sharing that expense with your neighbors.
The rest of your posting is, well, I don’t know – argumentative, I guess. How many teachers voted on the sewer – don’t know and who cares. It’s irrelevant. The school and your children benefit from the sewer. Yes, I certainly did state to cut a teacher. Luckily for us both, one conveniently resigned tonight (how coincidental!) “Paste and crayons”, again? Apparently, you’re having difficulty reading between the lines. I suppose I should have simply stated, “We’re not employing a staff to educate children at a college level.” It’s elementary school. That was the point being made. Seven million dollars for 600 students, and you don’t even question where it’s going?
Am I against education? I already addressed that. But here it is again. No, I am not. Who on earth is against educating children, for Pete’s sake? I love kids! If you’ve been to my house on Halloween (where I consistently refuse donations) you’d certainly know that. Regardless, I spoke out on wasteful spending in Colchester where both I and my son attended school. Waste is waste, no matter what the town.
You seem to be having difficulty separating your affection for your children, and desire for their quality education, with the politics into which you’re contributing.
What I am against, Anonymous, is wasteful spending, a BOE spreading misinformation for political and financial gain, a First Selectman taking a pay raise while his constituents suffer financially, and a town betterment project that’s being funded unfairly. I am not against a child being properly education, for crying out loud. A couple of extra kids in an elementary classroom will not make your kids poorly educated.
Regarding my home – if I don’t agree with YOU I should just leave? Thanks for the welcome, neighbor. Please, feel free to follow your own advice on that point, as the majority of this town doesn’t agree with you. As for what others think about me, luckily I simply don’t require (or really care about) the approval of others in how I lead my life. If you and your friends find my writings humorous, then I’m glad I to have brought some joy to your lives.
Conversely, Anonymous, there’s a majority that raised their hands to vote down the budget last Monday, who certainly read my Rivereast letter and said, “Damn right!”
I will add this, Anonymous. I have no personal quarrel with you, and I do apologize if you took my comments personally. I truly wish you and your family (and everyone, for that matter) no ill will. And, shame on whomever intimidated the mother and her children to which you referred, for expressing their views.
I simply believe it is healthy to question our servant government. Please do remember that it is here to serve you, and not vice versa. All of us, including me with my “paste and crayon” statements have equal right to express our thoughts and demand substantiative responses.
I’ve written what I’ve written to the paper, believe it or not, for your benefit as well. If the town (including the BOE) took a very hard look at upon what and how exactly they’re spending our money, and subjected those expenses to a few simple questions of frugality, we would all benefit.
I do want to see the town’s children properly educated. I would like to see it done more economically. I would like to see the town run more economically, as well, considering the true lack of services it provides to the average Marlborough homeowner.
And, I would like to see us all equally share the expense of all the projects that we, as a town, vote to pursue — which includes the sewer.
That’s all I’m saying.
Dear Anonymous
I am confused. You have stated that everyone you have talked to considers David’s letter in the Rivereast a joke, so I am assuming that they agree with you. But you also state that you have been personally attacked … hmm… by whom? Since you have been posting here anonymously, no one here knows who you are. So who have you been attacked by?
The children in Marlborough are not going to suffer if there is a couple more kids in their classroom. Or if they have to learn to make do with less. In fact it would increase their maturity level. We have a whole generation of children that have a feeling of entitlement. Maybe as a country, a town or as a family had been more realistic in their finances, we wouldn’t find ourselves in the economic mess that we are now in.
I take offense to your insinuation that if someone is struggling financially that they should put their home on the market and move to another town. I have lived in Marlborough for 25 years, the last 10 of them as a single mom, the last 4 of them putting a kid through college. I have lived frugally. I have made ends meet. But with the additional financial stress put upon me with the sewers, coupled with the fact that my place of employment has decreased my pay by 10%, I will no longer be able to afford to live in this town. And I find that sad. And my home will be on the market. But I won’t be getting $500,000+! If you took the time to look at the majority of the homes in the sewer district you will find that most are modest homes, with seniors, single parents and your average middle class families living in them. Its not fair that a handful of homes will shoulder the financial burden of the construction of the sewers, when all of the town will benefit from them.
The bottom line is: the town needs to take a closer look at its spending policies and learn to say NO! The sewers were voted in as a town, for the betterment of the town and so therefore the WHOLE town should share the financial obligations of have the sewers constructed.
To the thoughtful writers who contribute to this blog, please do not indulge these vague references to attacks on mother and children. This is more of the same attack politics promoted by the fanatical wing of BOE supporters. These types of unsubstantiated allegations are irresponsible and have the same level of accuracy as Anonymous’ claim that Ms. Leser recommended a $450K BOE budget cut that I debunked on this blog. These statements are used to demonize political opponents but have no basis in truth — they only serve to demonstrate the unprincipled tactics these types of people are willing to stoop to in order to achieve a political goal. This is precisely why you should ignore them.
@Cut the Budget
Point taken. I won’t intentionally indulge in affirming undocumented statements. On the $450k, I read that thread with great satisfaction. Good work.
@Anonymous
Anonymous, I forget to mention that my fiance runs a full-time daycare, in which I have participated several occasions. I have nothing against children and education, or even paste and crayons.
Regarding going to the school and sitting in on a class; I’m not sure what that will accomplish. I’ve got my elementary education skills pretty well mastered and I’m all for your kids getting an education. I’d be more interested in going to the school and having a look at their bills, and seeing what I would do as a business owner, to reduce spending.
@Karen
Bravo, Karen. Well stated.
It failed again. Maybe this time they will make some real cuts in the town operations budget…specifically the selectmens’ raises.