Recent Articles of Interest to Fairfield Taxpayers
CT's Prop Taxes in Perspective
We know Fairfield has high taxes vs other towns. How High Are CT's ave prop taxes vs other States? Read More
The town needs to cut property tax rates
Implementing the proposed spending budget and property-tax increase would be counter-productive and continue, rather than address, the fiscal problems faced by the town. I am a strong supporter of the public schools, a registered democrat, and a believer in effective government. Unfortunately, sometimes, effectiveness requires doing less than we want in recognition of budgetary, political and economic realities. Now is one of those times. Read More Fairfield Minuteman 4/4/14
Union contracts are not saving the town money
A citizen questions First Selectman Mike Tetreau assertion that the labor agreements he negotiated with the unions are saving the town money.
http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2014/03/21/fairfield/opinion/letters/doc5329a5a43ca1d891607307.txt
Out on a limb: Selectmen question cost, impact of UI tree-removal plan
Update of United Illuminating's eight-year tree-trimming and removal plan for Fairfield. First Selectman Mike Tetreau says it sounds like an "unfunded state mandate."
http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/article/Out-on-a-limb-Selectmen-question-cost-impact-of-5333836.php
We Need to Spend More $ on Education
One citizen expresses concern that Fairfield lags some of its neighbors in educational spending per student.
http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2014/03/19/fairfield/opinion/letters/doc5329a5f1980f2270433894.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Aquarion Water Cuts Rates, Offers Rebates To Fairfield Customers
http://fairfield.dailyvoice.com/news/aquarion-water-cuts-rates-offers-rebates-fairfield-county-customers
Connecticut Ranks As 4th Worst State To Be A Taxpayer
http://fairfield.dailyvoice.com/news/wallethub-report-connecticut-ranks-4th-worst-state-be-taxpayer
Does higher education spending lead to better performance?
Read More
What Should Fairfield Give to Not-For-Profits? 2/19/14
Each year, the town allocates monies to be given to local not-for-profit organizations. The current budget is just under $1 million, of which one third goes to Pequot Library. There is a Not-For-Profit Committee, chaired by Chris DeWitt, which oversees this budget. The committee is recommending that there be some sort of criteria and objectives created for measuring the work done by the agencies. The committee is also recommending that one lump sum be allocated, similar to BOE. Read more
First Selectman of Westport, Marpe, Seeks $78.5 Million Town Budget 2/12/14
First Selectman Jim Marpe presented the first municipal operating budget of his new administration to the Westport Board of Finance this week. The proposed 2014-2015 municipal budget presents a 3.1% increase over last year's budget. Read more
Connecticut School Budget Requests 2/7/14
New technology, course materials, teacher training, science equipment, social workers, security officers - those are some items that school officials wrestle to fund these days as they devise annual budget requests for their districts. With the economy in a slow recovery, local superintendents are generally seeking 3-4% spending increases for the 2014-15 school year, half of the size of increases many sought a decade ago. Read more
Fairfield BOE Budget Request Up Slightly 2/5/14
The Board of Education passed a budget of $157,022,051 for the 2014-2015 school year when it met Thursday, January 30th. The Board added $114,500 to the budget presented to them by Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Title, making the increase over the current year 3.86%. Read more ...and more
Tetreau Gives State of the Town 1/31/14
Fairfield's First Selectman Mike Tetreau gave his State of the Town address January 27th. Tetreau said his vision of Fairfield was of "a family-friendly and neighborhood oriented community that values our top quality school system" and "a safe and secure community," noting that "the school system has been a cornerstone in supporting premium property values." Read more
School Board Questions Dr. Title on Budget Proposal 1/29/14
As Board of Education members questioned Superintendent of School Dr. David Title about his proposed budget for 2014-2015, he was asked to cost out items that they might be interested in adding or subtracting from the budget and to bring those figures to the next meeting on January 28th. Board members also heard from Title about the many items that have been subtracted from the school budget in the past three years. Read more
Newtown's Superintendent Proposed Budget Cuts 18 Teaching Staff 1/25/14
Newtown Interim Schools Superintendent John Reed has proposed a 2014-15 budget that would increase spending less than 1% and eliminate about 18 teaching positions and five staff jobs. With taxpayers reeling from revaluation and district enrollments dropping, Reed presented a $71.58 million budget to the Board of Education on Thursday night that represents a .75% increase in spending for the next year. Read more
Parents Express Frustration with BOE 1/21/14
There has been increasing frustration on the part of both parents and some Board of Education members at the flow of information both to and from the administration. Board members could not get budget information in an analyzable form and other parents were cut off before they could dispute the assertion that educators did not know about the spike in the number of special education tuitions. Read more
Fairfield's Proposed School Budget up 3.7% 1/21/14
Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Title's proposed budget for Fairfield Public Schools is $156,909,651 for fiscal year 2014-2015, an increase of $5,717,905, or 3.78%. Title said the budget would have risen less than 3% if there had not been the unexpected expense of $1.6 million for special education tuitions. Read more
Budget Shortfall for School Budget 1/12/14
A $1.2 to $1.6 million shortfall is predicted for the Fairfield Public School budget for this year. Educators surprised the Board of Finance with that news when that board met January 7th. The extra money is needed for tuition and transportation and other services for those who must be outplaced due to special education needs. Read more
CT's Prop Taxes in Perspective
We know Fairfield has high taxes vs other towns. How High Are CT's ave prop taxes vs other States? Read More
The town needs to cut property tax rates
Implementing the proposed spending budget and property-tax increase would be counter-productive and continue, rather than address, the fiscal problems faced by the town. I am a strong supporter of the public schools, a registered democrat, and a believer in effective government. Unfortunately, sometimes, effectiveness requires doing less than we want in recognition of budgetary, political and economic realities. Now is one of those times. Read More Fairfield Minuteman 4/4/14
Union contracts are not saving the town money
A citizen questions First Selectman Mike Tetreau assertion that the labor agreements he negotiated with the unions are saving the town money.
http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2014/03/21/fairfield/opinion/letters/doc5329a5a43ca1d891607307.txt
Out on a limb: Selectmen question cost, impact of UI tree-removal plan
Update of United Illuminating's eight-year tree-trimming and removal plan for Fairfield. First Selectman Mike Tetreau says it sounds like an "unfunded state mandate."
http://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/article/Out-on-a-limb-Selectmen-question-cost-impact-of-5333836.php
We Need to Spend More $ on Education
One citizen expresses concern that Fairfield lags some of its neighbors in educational spending per student.
http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2014/03/19/fairfield/opinion/letters/doc5329a5f1980f2270433894.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Aquarion Water Cuts Rates, Offers Rebates To Fairfield Customers
http://fairfield.dailyvoice.com/news/aquarion-water-cuts-rates-offers-rebates-fairfield-county-customers
Connecticut Ranks As 4th Worst State To Be A Taxpayer
http://fairfield.dailyvoice.com/news/wallethub-report-connecticut-ranks-4th-worst-state-be-taxpayer
Does higher education spending lead to better performance?
Read More
What Should Fairfield Give to Not-For-Profits? 2/19/14
Each year, the town allocates monies to be given to local not-for-profit organizations. The current budget is just under $1 million, of which one third goes to Pequot Library. There is a Not-For-Profit Committee, chaired by Chris DeWitt, which oversees this budget. The committee is recommending that there be some sort of criteria and objectives created for measuring the work done by the agencies. The committee is also recommending that one lump sum be allocated, similar to BOE. Read more
First Selectman of Westport, Marpe, Seeks $78.5 Million Town Budget 2/12/14
First Selectman Jim Marpe presented the first municipal operating budget of his new administration to the Westport Board of Finance this week. The proposed 2014-2015 municipal budget presents a 3.1% increase over last year's budget. Read more
Connecticut School Budget Requests 2/7/14
New technology, course materials, teacher training, science equipment, social workers, security officers - those are some items that school officials wrestle to fund these days as they devise annual budget requests for their districts. With the economy in a slow recovery, local superintendents are generally seeking 3-4% spending increases for the 2014-15 school year, half of the size of increases many sought a decade ago. Read more
Fairfield BOE Budget Request Up Slightly 2/5/14
The Board of Education passed a budget of $157,022,051 for the 2014-2015 school year when it met Thursday, January 30th. The Board added $114,500 to the budget presented to them by Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Title, making the increase over the current year 3.86%. Read more ...and more
Tetreau Gives State of the Town 1/31/14
Fairfield's First Selectman Mike Tetreau gave his State of the Town address January 27th. Tetreau said his vision of Fairfield was of "a family-friendly and neighborhood oriented community that values our top quality school system" and "a safe and secure community," noting that "the school system has been a cornerstone in supporting premium property values." Read more
School Board Questions Dr. Title on Budget Proposal 1/29/14
As Board of Education members questioned Superintendent of School Dr. David Title about his proposed budget for 2014-2015, he was asked to cost out items that they might be interested in adding or subtracting from the budget and to bring those figures to the next meeting on January 28th. Board members also heard from Title about the many items that have been subtracted from the school budget in the past three years. Read more
Newtown's Superintendent Proposed Budget Cuts 18 Teaching Staff 1/25/14
Newtown Interim Schools Superintendent John Reed has proposed a 2014-15 budget that would increase spending less than 1% and eliminate about 18 teaching positions and five staff jobs. With taxpayers reeling from revaluation and district enrollments dropping, Reed presented a $71.58 million budget to the Board of Education on Thursday night that represents a .75% increase in spending for the next year. Read more
Parents Express Frustration with BOE 1/21/14
There has been increasing frustration on the part of both parents and some Board of Education members at the flow of information both to and from the administration. Board members could not get budget information in an analyzable form and other parents were cut off before they could dispute the assertion that educators did not know about the spike in the number of special education tuitions. Read more
Fairfield's Proposed School Budget up 3.7% 1/21/14
Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Title's proposed budget for Fairfield Public Schools is $156,909,651 for fiscal year 2014-2015, an increase of $5,717,905, or 3.78%. Title said the budget would have risen less than 3% if there had not been the unexpected expense of $1.6 million for special education tuitions. Read more
Budget Shortfall for School Budget 1/12/14
A $1.2 to $1.6 million shortfall is predicted for the Fairfield Public School budget for this year. Educators surprised the Board of Finance with that news when that board met January 7th. The extra money is needed for tuition and transportation and other services for those who must be outplaced due to special education needs. Read more
