A Letter From Resident to Town Council

Dear Town Council members of Stratford:

I am a Stratford resident who attended the budget workshop this past Tuesday.  I was extremely impressed with the Town Council members' display of concern and interest on the proposed budget cuts to certain departments and programs.  Thank you TC members!

I was not impressed with the unprofessional display of sarcasm demonstrated by one town official when Kimberly Meuse asked how the new animal control facility would function with the proposed cut of one assistant animal control officer. 

She made a snide remark that suggested one of the dogs could open the door (or something to that effect).   

This display of unprofessionalism scared the daylights out of me that town staff are involved in making suggestions or even worse, potentially influencing decisions. 

They should take the time to educate themselves on each "line item" before making such demeaning, unprofessional comments, especially when these meetings are open to the pubic.  My only consolation is that the Town Council plays an integral role in approving the proposed budget.

The CT Post stated that the Fire Department is receiving $1.2 million for a new ladder truck and rescue truck.  I'm not sure how much of that money is for replacing the rescue truck which was damaged by a tractor-trailer crashing into it in January, but would it not stand to reason that the insurance company of the tractor-trailer would be responsible?

I understand the reason for overtime in the fire department, but I cannot begin to fathom why it stands at $2 million!  That is nearly 1/3 of the overall fire department payroll!  Why is the police department so much less? 

Rigorous efforts to fully staff the fire department are in order.  If they shave just 2% of the overtime, they can eliminate the proposed lay offs with teachers, the eight town staff positions, cuts that serve our families with Parents Place and the Library.  

Councilman Hugh Catalano also brought up a very good point with asking why officers leave their patrol cars running? Every little bit helps, so instead of targeting just a few of the much-needed services with elimination, lay offs or reductions that impact them in a HUGE way, come up with a % for EVERY department to contribute toward cost containment so that not just a few have to suffer.

One last comment that needs no explanation.  NO MORE TAX INCREASES please!

Lois Minto
Stratford