When John [Spincocchio] Hodge says it doesn't. I'll just convene a 'special interest' Town Meeting and push through a change to the referendum. Let me count the ways ...
Last night, June 18th., John Hodge announced that the 100k bathroom project has been now been replaced by a project which will cost $200k. This is the same project that the taxpayers voted against last year. In addition to bathrooms, the new structure includes a storage area, press box, concession area and a ticket area. It will be located between the two sets of bleachers on the Rebel Turf field. Approximately $125,000 will be received as a donation.
(Apparently, Mr. Hodge will be holding a Town Meeting next week for the people to vote to accept the donation.) He asked for an additional $50k from the BOE. The BOE voted in favor of “designating” money to this project (2 opposed). [NOTE: APPARENTLY THE BOF WAS CORRECT ... THERE WAS TOO MUCH MONEY IN THE BOE BUDGET!!] The BOE also voted to return an additional $61,657 to the town (2 opposed). There are two major issues here:
- The BOE does not have unilateral authority to appropriate funds to a capital project. (CGS10-222).
- The structure/septic will be located 40-50 feet away from a well with potable water. Dr. Siebert has confirmed with the State that a septic should be 150 feet away from the well to make sure that the well water is not contaminated. This is a huge concern given the fact that the water system at the High School/Middle School is failing. Hodge claims that he also checked with the State and was told that placement of a septic so close to a well would not be a problem. [NOTE: HODGE [SPINCOCCHIO] ALSO SAID HE CHECKED WITH THE STATE ON THE BRIDGE OVER BALL POND BROOK, ONLY TO HAVE TO REMOVE IT ... TAXPAYERS LOST APPROX. $140,000]
The discussion could not be seen on cable TV because the live broadcast was turned off at that time.
TAKE AWAY:
The special interests will show up and, just like the weevils, they won’t care whether the process was legal or not. With each project, a new group of people (40-200 usuall) with an interest in the issue, come out to support whatever it takes to get what they want whether it is done right or not.
As long as people are willing to support this approach what can you do? I think the BOF has tried to keep process legal, but THEY have been vilified by each successive special interest group… they don’t want to hear why the process is a mess.
And Yes the BOE was whining again their budget was bare bones as usual this year that they couldn’t afford any further cuts. So now they are buying toilet paper.
How many books can be bought with 50K? or how many rooms could be painted throughout the system in the three buildings for 50K? How about air quality improvements or removal of the smelly and stained carpeting in the classrooms, especially in Consolidated if it hasn’t been already done for health reasons?
What is the town health department opinion about the distance from wells. I always thought a septic couldn’t be any closer than 75 feet to a well and 150 feet from wetlands, but it may have changed. Maybe like the bridge over Ball Pond Brook ... it doesn't matter until you get caught!
