Too many unanswered questions in Phase II
John Parfitt Groton
Article published Apr 26, 2011
Groton voters should use common sense. The Phase II plan is not what is best for Groton. There are too many missing links and unanswered questions.
• This plan is to build two schools, not just a new middle school. S.B. Butler will be demolished and a new early childhood center built right next to the current school.
• S.B. Butler and Claude Chester will have full construction going on while students are in school.
• The early childhood centers for children in preschool, kindergarten and first grade will have no media centers. Just imagine a school with no library.
• Where will the adult education program go and how far will it be from the population that needs it most?
• What changes are in store for sixth-grade curriculum now that they are sent back to the elementary level?
• How will artificial turf at the middle and high school improve test scores?
• What new traffic nightmares lay in wait with all this added busing?
This plan equals much higher taxes no matter how much state money is used. Let's not be left with empty pockets and no academic improvements.
On Monday, just vote no.
Vote no to Groton's unjust spending spree
Richard Cady Mystic
Article published Apr 28, 2011
It is not often that I can agree with Groton Town Councilor Frank O'Beirne. However, he has hit the nail square on the head with his letter titled "Now is a bad time to spend $133M," published April 23. He has countered the Board of Education's pitch with reality - good job, Mr. O'Beirne.
In addition to his comments, we should look to what the so-called prudent expenditure of funds put into the newest addition to Fitch High School got us for our money before we embark on another unjust spending spree.
New schools don't make better students any more than new cars make better drivers; it's our excellent teachers and the latest technology that is doing the job.
I urge that people vote no on Phase II and send the message to the Board of Education that we are fed up with its bean-counting tactics.
Groton project will hit the taxpayer too hard
Kevin Trejo Groton
Article published Apr 28, 2011
I cannot support the funding of Phase II. As a founding member of Taxpayers for Groton Schools, in 2003 we spent seven months trying to educate the town about Phase I and the total master plan. We had a work force between 35 and 40 people and support from more than 100 people. (Where are they now?)
We had many walking tours to explain why and the need for selected sites for building, especially the King property.
The master plan had all-day kindergarten in mind and we still handle more than 250 children in the pre-kindergarten area. If Groton wants all-day pre-kindergarten, let's look at the Friendship School model in Waterford, built by the state and run though LEARN.
We in Groton do not need to take on all aspects of education by taxing people to death.
Please vote no on Phase II and rethink the plan.
Phase II redistricts the youngest kids
Rosanne Kotowski Mystic
Article published Apr 27, 2011
Included in the Groton Board of Education's Phase II project is massive redistricting. Every student not in high school will be affected.
All pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first-graders will be at the early-childhood centers at the current S.B. Butler site and West Side Middle site. All second-graders through sixth-graders will be at either the renovated Cutler Middle, Katherine Kolnaski, North East Academy, Mary Morrison or Charles Barnum.
Students in the northeast section of Groton have been redistricted many times in recent history. In the 1970s, when the Board of Education confiscated the Northeast School for the administration building, the students in the northeast section of Groton were redistricted out of the Northeast School and into Freeman Hathaway and Mystic Academy.
Then in the 1990s it was out of Freeman Hathaway and Mystic Academy and into S.B. Butler and Noank School. In the 2000s it was out of S.B. Butler and Noank School and into Northeast Academy. In contrast, students from Judson Avenue and West Mystic Avenue have never been redistricted.
Now the youngest students from the northeast section of Groton, the pre-kindergarten through first-graders, will be redistricted into one of the early childhood centers.
Vote no to Phase II.
Editor's note: In Tuesday's edition The Day mistakenly republished an earlier letter submitted by Rosanne Kotowski. The above letter is the one Ms. Kotowski intended to have published.
We'd better take a closer look at Groton's Phase II proposal
By ANDREW PARRELLA
Article published April 23, 2011, The Day
History tells us that Groton has not been a good steward of its school buildings. Examples include Eastern Point, Groton Heights, Pleasant Valley and Claude Chester schools. Left in disrepair, the town and Board of Education do not have good track records.
Meanwhile, taxes have increased. Board of Education budgets are unsustainable and the Phase II proposal exacerbates the problem.
With bonding on top of bonding, Phase II raises taxes for many years to come. Proponents claim that state reimbursement is currently available, giving the impression that the plan must be passed now. Manipulation, maneuvering, coercion and even threatening that a vote must occur now is just wrong - voters beware. Flawed thinking of judged "sustainability" by School Superintendent Paul Kadri is subject to question. There are alternatives, the town must find them.
Timing is a factor. The Taxpayers for Groton Schools II PAC, superintendent and some school board members contradict themselves when they say, "States around the country provide school construction subsidies because the cost would be too much to bear if a municipality had to cover the entire cost. If there were no subsidies, then public education would deteriorate and that would hurt the state in the long run. Subsidy rates are calculated on a sliding scale based on the poverty level of the community."
Scaring the public into thinking that we will never be able to obtain money from the state except now is misleading, divisive and a disservice to the taxpayers.
New buildings can help to educate students but do not guarantee excellence. Existing problems with curriculum may not go away. Older buildings sometimes last longer than new ones. Efficiency, like geothermal, can be implemented in existing buildings and Mr. Kadri can get rid of his Butler boiler.
The Phase II plan proposes closing two valuable neighborhood middle schools - West Side and Cutler. Conversion of these to early childhood education centers is not state mandated, is unnecessary and is a luxury. The town cannot afford it.
The proposed site of a new middle school - at the current Claude Chester School - would locate it at the busy Poquonnock Road/Route 117 intersection. Traffic already backs up for miles there when accidents occur on Interstate 95. And it is in the flight path to Groton-New London Airport and crashes have occurred nearby in the past. A two-story building is not a good idea at that location. And adjacent open space should not be used as access for this site and could be illegal.
How can we trust the gatekeepers?
Also, million-dollar estimates for architectural plans are absurd. Our new schools already have architectural and structural problems, so who can trust the gatekeepers?
The current West Side Middle School is a model to use. A neighborhood school, it offers many benefits.
And this concept of bonding on top of bonding puts the town at risk. This proposal puts the town at 32 percent of the state limit of 50 percent on bonding.
This could prove a mistake in future years when other projects may be necessary. Tax and mill rates will peak from 2012 to 2017. Just for the Phase II proposal, the tax increase on a house assessed at $165,410 would be $236. With the rebuild on Thames Street added in, that number will climb to $260 for the same property.
A home assessed at $330,820 would be levied $521.
The Phase II plan is unacceptable from a monetary, practical and realistic standpoint. It will place undue hardship on Groton's elderly, unemployed, businesses, lower wage earners, and taxpayers. And the students that supporters want to educate may not be able to afford to live in Groton in future years.
The Friends for Affordable Education urges a no vote on Question 2, Phase II bonding at the referendum on May 2.
Andrew Parrella is chairman of Friends for Affordable Education PAC. He is a former member of the Groton City Council and the Representative Town Meeting.
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Don't OK grandiose school plan in Groton
Fred Conti, Noank
Article published April 7, 2011, The Day
On May 2 Groton voters will decide whether to spend $133 million on a multi-faceted school building project. Given difficult economic conditions for many citizens, this proposal is too expensive, complicated and extravagant. Town leaders have created a plan that fits into a utopian world that does not exist in Groton.
Unemployment in Groton is 9.8 percent, according to the Labor Department. About one-third of adults in town are either unemployed or underemployed. For those with jobs, average incomes have increased at less than 2 percent over three years. Senior citizens have seen no increase in Social Security benefits for two years while costs continue to rise. Adding to these dire economic conditions are expected increases in state sales and income taxes.
These times call for fiscal restraint, not grandiose plans.
Voters should reject this plan. In its place, we need a plan emphasizing maximum retention and utilization of existing buildings. Given uncertainties about future student population, state reimbursement levels and the local economy, the plan needs maximum flexibility and should be divided into manageable phases over multiple years.
The experience with the high school renovation should give us all pause about granting the same people a $133 million check.
Fred Conti, Noank
Article published April 7, 2011, The Day
On May 2 Groton voters will decide whether to spend $133 million on a multi-faceted school building project. Given difficult economic conditions for many citizens, this proposal is too expensive, complicated and extravagant. Town leaders have created a plan that fits into a utopian world that does not exist in Groton.
Unemployment in Groton is 9.8 percent, according to the Labor Department. About one-third of adults in town are either unemployed or underemployed. For those with jobs, average incomes have increased at less than 2 percent over three years. Senior citizens have seen no increase in Social Security benefits for two years while costs continue to rise. Adding to these dire economic conditions are expected increases in state sales and income taxes.
These times call for fiscal restraint, not grandiose plans.
Voters should reject this plan. In its place, we need a plan emphasizing maximum retention and utilization of existing buildings. Given uncertainties about future student population, state reimbursement levels and the local economy, the plan needs maximum flexibility and should be divided into manageable phases over multiple years.
The experience with the high school renovation should give us all pause about granting the same people a $133 million check.
Common Sense Economics
Ed Johnson, Notes from the Old Noank Jail
Article published April 6, 2011, Groton Times
Groton-CT We live in a troubled global world, subjected to forces beyond the control of most individual citizens. Some of these forces are created by human greed and mismanagement, such as the global financial crisis which only recently began to settle down. And, the citizens of Japan will suffer, probably for decades, as a result of a simple, devastating act of nature which claimed so many lives and physically destroyed a major portion of their well ordered country. We will share in Japan's economic grief as well, as the ripple effect of their disrupted economy affects the rest of the world and undoubtedly causes financial disturbance in many areas. Again, we will have to "ride out" the resulting turmoil.Therefore, it is time for local citizens to focus on projects that we are actually able to control and projects that result in long-term financial benefits. We need to reduce energy consumption and think "outside the box" when we consider our own lifestyles. We need to save money by cutting back expenses. We cannot solve all the world problems, but we can at least work where we can actually make a difference.By my observation, as a 70 year old man, I see two local projects in Groton which need to be addressed using simple common sense. One involves the Thames Street road reconstruction in Groton City, which was defeated in a previous Referendum primarily due to excessive cost. Thus far, the Thames Street Review Committee has reduced the initial estimates from $10.7 million to approximately $6.4 million...a substantial improvement, with no frills attached...and will bond the project at a low figure. This makes sense to me and I recommend when this project goes to public Referendum on May 2nd, the citizens of Groton approve it.
Unfortunately, when citizens are voting on the Thames Street project in the May Referendum, they will also vote on the $133 million Phase II school expansion project, which is a major mistake. We don't even utilize our existing school buildings properly from an ecological perspective, the educational trend nationally is for smaller schools, the education of Pre-Kindergarten children will not be funded by the state and would instead inflate an already oversized education department at our own taxpayer expense.
The choice of using the Claude Chester property for the proposed large school is another major mistake. There are insufficient playing fields (without invading Poquonnock Plains), frequent flooding on Route 117 and the nearby fields, heavy traffic when the existing school is dismissed, and worse traffic when Route 95 is closed due to accidents.
Consolidation into one school increases more bus vehicles, routes and expense. It makes more sense to utilize the recently renovated West Side School and expand the Cutler Middle School (which has sufficient space) to accommodate 6th through 8th grades. These changes would only be a few million dollars...they would not be $133 million!I estimate the "Phase II" project would add approximately $400 annually to my taxes, already too high, over the bonding period. This is not a good investment...this does not give me a good "bang for the buck" in terms of value...and I don't see any energy savings for the project. All I see are more school buildings not being properly maintained and "dumped" back on the Town. Harvard and Yale have 100 year or older buildings...proudly and properly maintained. Why can't Groton?In summary, lets use common sense, vote "No" on Phase II at the referendum, and send the school board back to come up with better solutions. Let's try to help ourselves, for once, by not raising our own tax bills, and not obligating future generations with debt that we create.
Ed Johnson, Notes from the Old Noank Jail
Article published April 6, 2011, Groton Times
Groton-CT We live in a troubled global world, subjected to forces beyond the control of most individual citizens. Some of these forces are created by human greed and mismanagement, such as the global financial crisis which only recently began to settle down. And, the citizens of Japan will suffer, probably for decades, as a result of a simple, devastating act of nature which claimed so many lives and physically destroyed a major portion of their well ordered country. We will share in Japan's economic grief as well, as the ripple effect of their disrupted economy affects the rest of the world and undoubtedly causes financial disturbance in many areas. Again, we will have to "ride out" the resulting turmoil.Therefore, it is time for local citizens to focus on projects that we are actually able to control and projects that result in long-term financial benefits. We need to reduce energy consumption and think "outside the box" when we consider our own lifestyles. We need to save money by cutting back expenses. We cannot solve all the world problems, but we can at least work where we can actually make a difference.By my observation, as a 70 year old man, I see two local projects in Groton which need to be addressed using simple common sense. One involves the Thames Street road reconstruction in Groton City, which was defeated in a previous Referendum primarily due to excessive cost. Thus far, the Thames Street Review Committee has reduced the initial estimates from $10.7 million to approximately $6.4 million...a substantial improvement, with no frills attached...and will bond the project at a low figure. This makes sense to me and I recommend when this project goes to public Referendum on May 2nd, the citizens of Groton approve it.
Unfortunately, when citizens are voting on the Thames Street project in the May Referendum, they will also vote on the $133 million Phase II school expansion project, which is a major mistake. We don't even utilize our existing school buildings properly from an ecological perspective, the educational trend nationally is for smaller schools, the education of Pre-Kindergarten children will not be funded by the state and would instead inflate an already oversized education department at our own taxpayer expense.
The choice of using the Claude Chester property for the proposed large school is another major mistake. There are insufficient playing fields (without invading Poquonnock Plains), frequent flooding on Route 117 and the nearby fields, heavy traffic when the existing school is dismissed, and worse traffic when Route 95 is closed due to accidents.
Consolidation into one school increases more bus vehicles, routes and expense. It makes more sense to utilize the recently renovated West Side School and expand the Cutler Middle School (which has sufficient space) to accommodate 6th through 8th grades. These changes would only be a few million dollars...they would not be $133 million!I estimate the "Phase II" project would add approximately $400 annually to my taxes, already too high, over the bonding period. This is not a good investment...this does not give me a good "bang for the buck" in terms of value...and I don't see any energy savings for the project. All I see are more school buildings not being properly maintained and "dumped" back on the Town. Harvard and Yale have 100 year or older buildings...proudly and properly maintained. Why can't Groton?In summary, lets use common sense, vote "No" on Phase II at the referendum, and send the school board back to come up with better solutions. Let's try to help ourselves, for once, by not raising our own tax bills, and not obligating future generations with debt that we create.
Renters also will be hit if Phase II is approved
David Adams, Groton
Article published April 6, 2011, The Day
I am a not a homeowner in Groton, I am a renter. I pay my fair share of taxes and my landlord pays taxes on the apartment I live in. So what do you think is the first thing that will happen when they raise taxes in Groton to pay for this new building plan? My rent will go up. So even if you are not a homeowner but you are a resident, your pocket will feel this tax increase.
So on top of my utilities, food and clothing prices going up, now I have to deal with my rent going up, too. People such as me on fixed government incomes, with no raise or increase in sight, just can't afford this.
Please people, go to the polls and vote no on the Phase II school plan.
David Adams, Groton
Article published April 6, 2011, The Day
I am a not a homeowner in Groton, I am a renter. I pay my fair share of taxes and my landlord pays taxes on the apartment I live in. So what do you think is the first thing that will happen when they raise taxes in Groton to pay for this new building plan? My rent will go up. So even if you are not a homeowner but you are a resident, your pocket will feel this tax increase.
So on top of my utilities, food and clothing prices going up, now I have to deal with my rent going up, too. People such as me on fixed government incomes, with no raise or increase in sight, just can't afford this.
Please people, go to the polls and vote no on the Phase II school plan.
Groton cannot afford to foot bill for Phase II
Andrew Lavery, Groton
Article published April 6, 2011, The Day
In Groton I think everyone can agree that we want the best education possible for our children, but what we want and what we can afford are two different things.
The cost of Phase II to the taxpayer will be around $133 million. Advocates for Phase II say that about 50 percent of the $133 million price tag will be paid for by the state, although that is not guaranteed at this point, leaving the town to bond for the remaining amount. Can Groton taxpayers afford another bond? In case anyone forgot, we are still paying for the bonding on Phase I and the senior center.
I have heard some people say that we have to take advantage of the money that the state may give us for Phase II as it will be money the town will not have to bond for. Money from any level of government originates from the same location, our pockets.
If Phase II is paid for with state money, with bonding on the local level or a combination of the two, it does not matter - $133 million is a price that we cannot afford at this time.
Vote no for Phase II.
Andrew Lavery, Groton
Article published April 6, 2011, The Day
In Groton I think everyone can agree that we want the best education possible for our children, but what we want and what we can afford are two different things.
The cost of Phase II to the taxpayer will be around $133 million. Advocates for Phase II say that about 50 percent of the $133 million price tag will be paid for by the state, although that is not guaranteed at this point, leaving the town to bond for the remaining amount. Can Groton taxpayers afford another bond? In case anyone forgot, we are still paying for the bonding on Phase I and the senior center.
I have heard some people say that we have to take advantage of the money that the state may give us for Phase II as it will be money the town will not have to bond for. Money from any level of government originates from the same location, our pockets.
If Phase II is paid for with state money, with bonding on the local level or a combination of the two, it does not matter - $133 million is a price that we cannot afford at this time.
Vote no for Phase II.
Phase II proposal just too costly for Groton
Rosanne Kotowski, Mystic
Article published April 6, 2011, The Day
I do not support the Groton Phase II building project, for many reasons.
The first is that the town of Groton does not have the money. We have to borrow the money and raise taxes to pay for it.
Statements that the project will save money are not believable. No matter how the Phase II project is presented, there are no savings when taxes go up.
The Phase II project includes major academic changes to the Groton public schools. The two with the most cause for concern are eliminating sixth grade from middle school and creating early childhood learning warehouses for prekindergarten through first grade.
Also included in the Phase II project is $3.3 million for an artificial field. This item was rejected by the Representative Town Meeting last year and is an obvious attempt by the BOE to circumvent the intentions of the RTM, disregarding taxpayers and their representatives.
The Phase II project does not resemble what it was when the voters approved Phase I. With a price tag of $133 million Phase II apparently does not fix everything and Groton voters and taxpayers need to know there is a Phase III in the works.
Just vote no.
Rosanne Kotowski, Mystic
Article published April 6, 2011, The Day
I do not support the Groton Phase II building project, for many reasons.
The first is that the town of Groton does not have the money. We have to borrow the money and raise taxes to pay for it.
Statements that the project will save money are not believable. No matter how the Phase II project is presented, there are no savings when taxes go up.
The Phase II project includes major academic changes to the Groton public schools. The two with the most cause for concern are eliminating sixth grade from middle school and creating early childhood learning warehouses for prekindergarten through first grade.
Also included in the Phase II project is $3.3 million for an artificial field. This item was rejected by the Representative Town Meeting last year and is an obvious attempt by the BOE to circumvent the intentions of the RTM, disregarding taxpayers and their representatives.
The Phase II project does not resemble what it was when the voters approved Phase I. With a price tag of $133 million Phase II apparently does not fix everything and Groton voters and taxpayers need to know there is a Phase III in the works.
Just vote no.
Brush up on real story of Groton building plan
Peter Weissgarber, Groton
Article published April 1, 2011, The Day
To the misguided individuals who are supporting Groton's Phase II school proposal, here is the real story:
The town manager proposed a fiscal budget for 2012 with a 3.4 percent increase in property taxes. The tax collector revealed the grand list dropped $17.5 million. The mill rate must increase to make up for that loss. The board of education and its superintendent want to spend $133 million and the Thames Street committee wants to spend $6.4 million dollars for repaving one street. Where will all that money come from? Aren't Groton's taxes high enough already?
There is an organizational chart in the budget showing Groton citizens at the head of the government. When will other members on that chart heed the wishes of the supposed leaders and stop spending millions of dollars? No one can afford even a $1 increase in taxes right now, but the town council and its associates keep proposing spending ideas.
What needs to happen is to give citizens, who are in charge, the right to vote on budgets. Towns and states everywhere are fighting to cut governmental costs, but not in Groton. I hope citizens remember these actions when they go to the ballot box. Exhorbitant spending must stop.
Peter Weissgarber, Groton
Article published April 1, 2011, The Day
To the misguided individuals who are supporting Groton's Phase II school proposal, here is the real story:
The town manager proposed a fiscal budget for 2012 with a 3.4 percent increase in property taxes. The tax collector revealed the grand list dropped $17.5 million. The mill rate must increase to make up for that loss. The board of education and its superintendent want to spend $133 million and the Thames Street committee wants to spend $6.4 million dollars for repaving one street. Where will all that money come from? Aren't Groton's taxes high enough already?
There is an organizational chart in the budget showing Groton citizens at the head of the government. When will other members on that chart heed the wishes of the supposed leaders and stop spending millions of dollars? No one can afford even a $1 increase in taxes right now, but the town council and its associates keep proposing spending ideas.
What needs to happen is to give citizens, who are in charge, the right to vote on budgets. Towns and states everywhere are fighting to cut governmental costs, but not in Groton. I hope citizens remember these actions when they go to the ballot box. Exhorbitant spending must stop.
Don't OK building plan with preschool aspect
Karen Morton, Mystic
Article published March 30, 2011, The Day
My biggest objection to the Phase II project in Groton is the inclusion of pre-kindergarten. This is not a state mandate, so why are we funding it? It's all about numbers and perpetuating the gravy train.
Until I was elected to the Representative Town Meeting, I did not know that education budgets could not be reduced below the prior year's appropriation. Enrollment is dropping, which means we could legally cut spending, maintain the quality of education and still meet the minimum budget requirement.
I understand that many mothers have to work and child care is expensive. However, when people want children and can't afford day care, that financial burden should not fall on the taxpayers under the guise of education. Children that age do not belong in all-day programs; there is no evidence that it is beneficial in the long term and we are harming private-sector providers.
I am still waiting for all the savings we were promised by Phase I, and for which we are still paying. The very audacity of this project in this economy is unconscionable.
Vote no on the Phase II issue.
Editor's note: The writer represents District 8 on the Representative Town Meeting.
Karen Morton, Mystic
Article published March 30, 2011, The Day
My biggest objection to the Phase II project in Groton is the inclusion of pre-kindergarten. This is not a state mandate, so why are we funding it? It's all about numbers and perpetuating the gravy train.
Until I was elected to the Representative Town Meeting, I did not know that education budgets could not be reduced below the prior year's appropriation. Enrollment is dropping, which means we could legally cut spending, maintain the quality of education and still meet the minimum budget requirement.
I understand that many mothers have to work and child care is expensive. However, when people want children and can't afford day care, that financial burden should not fall on the taxpayers under the guise of education. Children that age do not belong in all-day programs; there is no evidence that it is beneficial in the long term and we are harming private-sector providers.
I am still waiting for all the savings we were promised by Phase I, and for which we are still paying. The very audacity of this project in this economy is unconscionable.
Vote no on the Phase II issue.
Editor's note: The writer represents District 8 on the Representative Town Meeting.
Long-range costs add up in Phase II proposal
Ed Johnson, Groton
Article published March 30, 2011, The Day
I am opposed to the Phase II school proposal in Groton. While figures have been adjusted to result in "no cost increase for the next three years" by those actively promoting the project, they don't highlight the much higher long-range costs, which will result in future budget problems. This is a buy-now-and-pay-later sales promotion for a $133 million project, inappropriate for our financial situation.
In the original Phase I project, the Chester School site was not recommended by the engineers as a good expansion location back then for reasons which included:
• Being potentially unsafe under the aircraft landing flight path.
• Being in a flood zone.
• Having high traffic density.
Those citizens who actively promoted the use of the King property back then will remember this. Many citizens have already come to the same conclusions and expressed them publicly.
Groton voters should vote no to the Phase II project at the referendum on May 2.
Ed Johnson, Groton
Article published March 30, 2011, The Day
I am opposed to the Phase II school proposal in Groton. While figures have been adjusted to result in "no cost increase for the next three years" by those actively promoting the project, they don't highlight the much higher long-range costs, which will result in future budget problems. This is a buy-now-and-pay-later sales promotion for a $133 million project, inappropriate for our financial situation.
In the original Phase I project, the Chester School site was not recommended by the engineers as a good expansion location back then for reasons which included:
• Being potentially unsafe under the aircraft landing flight path.
• Being in a flood zone.
• Having high traffic density.
Those citizens who actively promoted the use of the King property back then will remember this. Many citizens have already come to the same conclusions and expressed them publicly.
Groton voters should vote no to the Phase II project at the referendum on May 2.
No hard-earned dollars for Groton school plan
Neal Gardner, Groton
Article published March 30, 2011, The Day
The Groton Phase II school plan is fast approaching referendum. Groton citizens need to focus on the date of May 2, go to the polls and vote no on this expensive and needless waste of the people's money.
The Phase II plan will not bring any prosperity to the town of Groton. What it will do is increase the tax burden on good people who go to work every day, struggling to barely get by in a bad economy, living in a state with confiscatory taxes.
What people need to understand is that our politicians, especially bureaucrats, have no empathy for the people. Not only do they want us to go into a 25-year debt for a building, but they also want to strap us with a pre-kindergarten program whose costs will rise year after year.
To top it off they are sticking their finger in our eye with a $3 million football field.
Are we to exist for no other purpose than to have our hard-earned dollars confiscated from us to feed an ever-expanding bureaucracy? I say no. We have had enough. Voters of Groton, on May 2 vote no on Phase II.
Neal Gardner, Groton
Article published March 30, 2011, The Day
The Groton Phase II school plan is fast approaching referendum. Groton citizens need to focus on the date of May 2, go to the polls and vote no on this expensive and needless waste of the people's money.
The Phase II plan will not bring any prosperity to the town of Groton. What it will do is increase the tax burden on good people who go to work every day, struggling to barely get by in a bad economy, living in a state with confiscatory taxes.
What people need to understand is that our politicians, especially bureaucrats, have no empathy for the people. Not only do they want us to go into a 25-year debt for a building, but they also want to strap us with a pre-kindergarten program whose costs will rise year after year.
To top it off they are sticking their finger in our eye with a $3 million football field.
Are we to exist for no other purpose than to have our hard-earned dollars confiscated from us to feed an ever-expanding bureaucracy? I say no. We have had enough. Voters of Groton, on May 2 vote no on Phase II.
Evaluate and improve existing Groton sites
Jennifer Lane, Noank
Article published March 28, 2011, The Day
If my husband and I buy a new car to replace our older car that is starting to need significant repairs, we'll save a lot of money over the next three years. As long as we don't factor in the expense of the new car. That's the reasoning Groton residents are being presented with as justification for approving the $133 million Phase II school project.
The Board of Education, which asked for a zero-increase budget for next year, is playing games by submitting a no-increase budget based only on passage of Phase II. This leaves me with a sense of distrust for that governing body. The RTM should require the school board to submit a budget with cuts that meet the zero-increase criteria.
Now is not the time for this project. The Pfizer news is bad and getting worse, with additional layoffs announced but not yet realized. The economy is barely recovering. The housing market is stagnant. Connecticut's unemployment rate is 9.6 percent.
It's time to evaluate and improve existing resources, not discard them. What about buildings such as Noank School that have been empty for years?
Phase II is a bad idea and the way it has been presented to Groton residents is insulting.
Jennifer Lane, Noank
Article published March 28, 2011, The Day
If my husband and I buy a new car to replace our older car that is starting to need significant repairs, we'll save a lot of money over the next three years. As long as we don't factor in the expense of the new car. That's the reasoning Groton residents are being presented with as justification for approving the $133 million Phase II school project.
The Board of Education, which asked for a zero-increase budget for next year, is playing games by submitting a no-increase budget based only on passage of Phase II. This leaves me with a sense of distrust for that governing body. The RTM should require the school board to submit a budget with cuts that meet the zero-increase criteria.
Now is not the time for this project. The Pfizer news is bad and getting worse, with additional layoffs announced but not yet realized. The economy is barely recovering. The housing market is stagnant. Connecticut's unemployment rate is 9.6 percent.
It's time to evaluate and improve existing resources, not discard them. What about buildings such as Noank School that have been empty for years?
Phase II is a bad idea and the way it has been presented to Groton residents is insulting.
School plan a bad idea
Ed Johnson, Groton
Article published March 24, 2011, Mystic River Press
These are my comments regarding the misleading “Taxpayers for Groton Schools II” website.
1) By whose criteria does anyone have the right to say that a typical school building has a useful life of 40 years? Or even 60 years? Apparently, no one told the management or trustees of either Harvard or Yale Universities. They both proudly utilize buildings and residence halls well in excess of 100 years.
2) The time has not come for us to construct large new buildings. The time has come for us to renovate (where necessary) and utilize the structures we now have. New buildings will not make the next generation of students successful. And the main difference in their world versus ours is that they will pay horrendously high property taxes because of the mistakes we make and the financial load we place upon them. Remember, we are still paying for Phase I and still have seen no savings from Phase I.
3) Phase II is the culmination of misguided efforts of only a few people. The Phase II Committee was never fully in favor of the current plan and only approved it by only a slim margin. And although the committee was established initially by the Town Council, this does not mean that the council was 100 percent in favor of the final plan. In fact, one-third of the council voted against passing it to the RTM.
The RTM in turn voted to pass it to the public by a very slim margin.
Groton taxpayers are already facing a 10 percent property tax increase.
The Phase II $133 million project will add an average of about $300 annually per household to that increase. This is not a good “balance” and Phase II is definitely not a “cost effective way to ensure financial sustainability to the taxpayers.”
Citizens should vote “no” on May 2.
Ed Johnson, Groton
Article published March 24, 2011, Mystic River Press
These are my comments regarding the misleading “Taxpayers for Groton Schools II” website.
1) By whose criteria does anyone have the right to say that a typical school building has a useful life of 40 years? Or even 60 years? Apparently, no one told the management or trustees of either Harvard or Yale Universities. They both proudly utilize buildings and residence halls well in excess of 100 years.
2) The time has not come for us to construct large new buildings. The time has come for us to renovate (where necessary) and utilize the structures we now have. New buildings will not make the next generation of students successful. And the main difference in their world versus ours is that they will pay horrendously high property taxes because of the mistakes we make and the financial load we place upon them. Remember, we are still paying for Phase I and still have seen no savings from Phase I.
3) Phase II is the culmination of misguided efforts of only a few people. The Phase II Committee was never fully in favor of the current plan and only approved it by only a slim margin. And although the committee was established initially by the Town Council, this does not mean that the council was 100 percent in favor of the final plan. In fact, one-third of the council voted against passing it to the RTM.
The RTM in turn voted to pass it to the public by a very slim margin.
Groton taxpayers are already facing a 10 percent property tax increase.
The Phase II $133 million project will add an average of about $300 annually per household to that increase. This is not a good “balance” and Phase II is definitely not a “cost effective way to ensure financial sustainability to the taxpayers.”
Citizens should vote “no” on May 2.
Groton cannot afford Phase II school project
Shelley Gardner, Mystic
Article published March 21, 2011, The Day
I implore Groton voters not to vote for the Phase II school project. In terms of the nation and the state's economies, it would devastate our community and the people in it to be further burdened with this huge additional debt.
Give it careful consideration and put aside any personal bias. This is not in the best interest of the community, but rather is a precursor of the further downfall of the local economy.
Businesses will not come to communities with inflated tax rates, regardless of the road conditions. Businesses leave communities because of high tax burdens. Home values have plummeted with no recovery in sight.
Raising taxes today would be inhumane for families that are struggling, or will struggle in the future because of our inability to keep spending at responsible levels.
It may not have hit your pocket today, but the state of the economy will affect us all, and our children and grandchildren's future quality of life.
Please be thoughtful and considerate when making a decision. Groton's children will be responsible for this debt long after they are out of school. I do not wish to see them pay such a heavy price for a public education.
Shelley Gardner, Mystic
Article published March 21, 2011, The Day
I implore Groton voters not to vote for the Phase II school project. In terms of the nation and the state's economies, it would devastate our community and the people in it to be further burdened with this huge additional debt.
Give it careful consideration and put aside any personal bias. This is not in the best interest of the community, but rather is a precursor of the further downfall of the local economy.
Businesses will not come to communities with inflated tax rates, regardless of the road conditions. Businesses leave communities because of high tax burdens. Home values have plummeted with no recovery in sight.
Raising taxes today would be inhumane for families that are struggling, or will struggle in the future because of our inability to keep spending at responsible levels.
It may not have hit your pocket today, but the state of the economy will affect us all, and our children and grandchildren's future quality of life.
Please be thoughtful and considerate when making a decision. Groton's children will be responsible for this debt long after they are out of school. I do not wish to see them pay such a heavy price for a public education.
Fix the Groton roads, but no new schools
Andrew Parrella Groton
Article published February 17, 2011, The Day
Groton road repairs should not be neglected. Thames Street repairs are required by charter. Please vote for safety. It is paramount. We are paying for the delay on this.
The schools: Enough is enough. Redistrict for racial imbalance, fix state mandates and stop the argument to justify new buildings. Two referendums have done this. Follow electorate wishes. It is absurd to think children will get better education this way. Early childhood learning centers are nice in theory, but is this socialism? We can't afford it.
Fix leaking roofs at Fitch High School before spending one penny on new building. Use empty buildings, make two middle schools, West Side and Cutler, and call it a day. Close Fitch Middle School, make that Town Hall, stop wasting gas going up Fort Hill to the annex and never mind bumping the register of voters from the current Town Hall - ridiculous.
Unfortunately, we may have to consolidate everything by eliminating fire districts, police departments and cutting upper management. Attorney's fees must be kept down, union contracts kept under control and hiring people at lower salaries is "buying back the future." Take zero increases.
Everyone will have to do it. Gov. Malloy is starting the process. Be prepared.
Editor's note: The writer is a former city councilor, former RTM member and vice chairman of the Democratic City Committee.
Andrew Parrella Groton
Article published February 17, 2011, The Day
Groton road repairs should not be neglected. Thames Street repairs are required by charter. Please vote for safety. It is paramount. We are paying for the delay on this.
The schools: Enough is enough. Redistrict for racial imbalance, fix state mandates and stop the argument to justify new buildings. Two referendums have done this. Follow electorate wishes. It is absurd to think children will get better education this way. Early childhood learning centers are nice in theory, but is this socialism? We can't afford it.
Fix leaking roofs at Fitch High School before spending one penny on new building. Use empty buildings, make two middle schools, West Side and Cutler, and call it a day. Close Fitch Middle School, make that Town Hall, stop wasting gas going up Fort Hill to the annex and never mind bumping the register of voters from the current Town Hall - ridiculous.
Unfortunately, we may have to consolidate everything by eliminating fire districts, police departments and cutting upper management. Attorney's fees must be kept down, union contracts kept under control and hiring people at lower salaries is "buying back the future." Take zero increases.
Everyone will have to do it. Gov. Malloy is starting the process. Be prepared.
Editor's note: The writer is a former city councilor, former RTM member and vice chairman of the Democratic City Committee.