Plainville Politics

Plainville 4/4

CLINTON 1,100 59%
EDWARDS 13 1%
OBAMA 701 38%
UNCOMMITTED 24 1%
BIDEN 0 0%

4/4
Giuliani 9 1%
Huckabee 80 11%
McCain 324 46%
Romney 218 31%
Uncommitted 38 5%

Voters approved additional funding for expanding and renovating Toffolon School by a wide margin on Tuesday, in stark contrast to two previous referendums in which the proposal was narrowly defeated.

Unofficial results showed that 1,318 people voted for the project while 864 voted against it. Work on the school is expected to begin this summer and could be finished by the winter of 2008.

“I think that people felt strongly that this project needs to get done,” said school board member Thomas Wazorko.

The project has been in the works for a couple of years and voters authorized $16 million for it in 2005. But officials soon said more money was needed, and on Tuesday voters approved an additional $4.7 million for the work, bringing the total budget to $20.7 million.

Officials have been struggling since last year to get the additional funding. A referendum in September that asked voters’ approval for an additional $7.1 million failed by 108 votes. The plans were then revised and a smaller budget increase was proposed. But a second referendum in March that asked for the budget to be increased by $6 million was rejected by 11 votes.

Wazorko said the dramatic turnaround was attributable in part to the work of a political action committee formed to support the project and efforts by officials to disseminate information about the plan.

Arthur Screen, chairman of the Republican town committee, said he thinks some people voted for the project partly to resolve the issue.

“I think many people are ready to move on to the next subject,” Screen said.

Plans call for a 14,000-square-foot addition to Toffolon, which would bring it to 66,000 square feet. The extra space would be for a new library along with dedicated rooms for art and music instruction.

The school would also be renovated. Other work that is planned includes improving the building’s mechanical and electrical systems, installing an elevator and removing hazardous materials. If there is enough money, officials also want to improve the school’s driveway to make it safer.

Source: Hartford Courant.
Reflection will come in a couple of days.

The Town Budget was passed by default. On a side note, There will be a Referendum Vote on June 19, 2007 for the question of:
“Shall the town of Plainville increase the $16000000 appropriation and borrowing authorization for renovations, improvements, and additions to Toffolon School to 20680000 and modify the project scope?”

Explanation:
The Plainville Capital Projects Building Committee has been charged to proceed with a like new renovation to the Toffolon Elementary School. The Committee has determined that $20680000 wil complete the project the project and meet the school district’s educational specifications. Upon project completion, Toffolon Elementary Scool will comply with building and fire code regulations.

Toffolon School Project Budget Summary:
Building Construction & Oversight: 14640000
Escalation 1326636
Contingency 1464364
Haz-Mat Work 310000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment 1115000
A/E Fees 1224300
Survey, Testing & Misc Costs 499700
Bonding & Legal Expenses 100000
(all amounts are in dollars)

I agree with the final amount. But I still disagree with the Town Budget. The Town Manager should not make more the Governor.

Today is another Budget Vote.

Plainville Fire House
6 AM TO 8 PM.

LET’S SEE IF THEY WILL UNDERSTAND A FOURTH “NO” VOTE.

I would like to apologize for the infrequent updates. I have been busy with my last few weeks of school for this semester. This blog is still active though. I will also launch a new website template pretty soon.

As far as the news:

Plainville voters reject $51.6 million budget on Tuesday

Plainville Residents Tuesday, April 24th rejected the proposed combined schools and general government 2007-08 budget of $51,665,188 — by a vote of 573 to 430 —and the Town Council will examine the financial document after a public hearing slated for at 7 p.m., today, April 26 at the Municipal Center.
After the council takes another look at the budget and decides whether to make cuts, add more money or put out the same budget, voters will get a second chance to accept or reject it May 8 at another all-day budget vote.

A public hearing held Monday provided very little testimony or direction from Plainville residents. The only resident to step up to the microphone was Joanne Edman, who chided officials and the media for not publicizing the April 23 public hearing and the April 24 vote at the Plainville Fire Department at 77 W. Main St.
Officials were perplexed and nervous after Monday’s public hearing that provided no direction from residents. Council Chairman Christopher Wazorko said he didn’t know how to gauge the fact people didn’t show up to agree or disagree. Wazorko said while he was concerned state-mandated revaluation of property assessments raised the average homeowners’ taxes $300 to $500, there was a “close to zero” tax hike due to the budget itself.
Wazorko said he was pleased the council was committed to not only helping the beleaguered taxpayers, but also kept services intact.
Patrick Ringrose, former chairman of the Board of Education, applauded the proposed $31,845,921 school district budget, a 4.8-percent increase over the current year.

However, Arthur Screen, chairman of the Republican Party, who came to Town Clerk Carol Skultety’s office Tuesday night to get the official results, said he thinks residents are sick of rising prices and are sending a resounding message to officials.
But Screen said he is unsure of what the council will do in the wake of the first budget rejection Tuesday and today’s hearing. He said the council has several options — reduce, add to or endorse the same budget.Wazorko earlier described revaluation as “a difficult pill to swallow,” something every town has to deal with, but acknowledged the council had done its part by keeping the proposed budget in check.
Councilwoman Johanna Petit Chapman said Monday the council worked diligently to act on the best-possible budget for the people of Plainville. She said the seven council members rolled up their sleeves and did the best they could.

Furthermore, a commentary piece will be coming soon from recent editorial pieces on this same subject.

Sources: Plainville Citizen and Hartford Courant.