Political Suggestions for Groton

As November 5th approaches, it is time for everyone to consider who we want as local representatives and what we want accomplished in 2014. While it is better to look forward with hope rather than backward with anguish, we still need to see some changes. 

 Many of us were frustrated by the Council's treatment of the Noank School Re-use Committee members, who were denied the opportunity to explore funding sources in order to renovate portions of the former school building. The Council utilized a petition organized by Robert Frink, who publicly favored residential development of that property, as an excuse for this denial. The one exception was Councilor Dean Antipas, who felt that the Committee should be allowed to seek funding and report back to the Council before any further action was taken. Dean showed good judgement, as always, and we need him to stay on the Council as a voice of reason and leadership. 

 The majority of the Council then moved to have reserve money be utilized to take down the school buildings as soon as possible. Genevieve Cerf and a large majority of the RTM deserve credit for voting to deny the Council any use of that money for tearing down the school, thus leaving the matter open for future review.  

 When my wife and I purchased our house back in the '70's, Groton taxpayers who owned property but had full-time voting residences elsewhere, like ourselves, were still allowed to vote on local (but not national) issues by write-in ballot. However, a majority of the Charter Revision Committee in 2008 - 2009 decided to quietly remove the right of non-resident taxpayers to vote locally, thus eliminating perhaps as many as 1000 taxpayers from proper representation.

In essence, the Town was saying "we're happy to take your money but you have no control over what we can do with it"... which was very unfair. Some folks would consider this to be a form of "taxation without representation." Thus far, neither the Town Manager nor a majority of the Council members appear to be willing to address this problem. 

  I therefore support Genevieve Cerf and Richard Moravsik as "new blood" on the Council this term. Both have considerable Groton experience on the RTM and a number of Town Committees and both have indicated a strong desire to alter the Town Charter for the benefit of non-resident taxpayers. When this occurs, adjustments should also be made to the Charter permitting a Referendum on the Annual Town Budget in the event that any proposal by Council/RTM will exceed a cost-of-living index. This will directly protect the taxpayers from excessive increases, but only when needed. 

 I'm happy to see Bill Smith campaigning for the RTM as "new blood." He has an excellent business background plus local community involvement and might be an appropriate future candidate for Town Council. And although he is not known for being subtle, I'm glad to see RTM member Jack Sebastion willing to continue his budget battles with the Town. Jack actually received the largest number of votes in his district during the last RTM election. 

 I agree with those who say that we need some changes on the Board of Education and that the situation involving a previous Superintendent was a real mess. However, some consistency and previous experience is mandatory. I personally favor keeping Robert Peruzzotti on the BoE because of his financial knowledge and close attention to proper school security for the safety of our children. It is obvious to me that he is sincerely concerned about the kids. I have a background in security myself and therefore recognize the validity of his efforts.  

There is an old saying..." if it works, don't fix it." Barbara Tarbox ran the Town Clerk's office for many years with the respect of both political parties. Betsey Moukawsher has done the same since 2010 and is efficient, cooperative, saves us money and provides guidance to those who might make mistakes. She should stay aboard. 

 The $5.3 million Bond plus interest to upgrade the Town Police Station is reasonable and proper, considering the condition of the facility. Some folks seem to have forgotten that listed improvements were discussed piecemeal for many years previously but were never acted upon for budget reasons. The time has now come to act. Prisoners need to be safely transferred and supervised. Police Officers need to be properly trained and re-trained with firearms in a convenient location. This is a very important project involving the entire community and we should all support it. Failure to do so will result in more delay and more issues with how to do things piecemeal...just like before.  

However, the approximately $10 million Bond (which results in costing much more with final interest) to extend water and sewer up Flanders Road is expensive and unlikely to produce a return on the investment for the taxpayers. From information dating back as far as 1977, the industrial land behind Town property West of Flanders Road is not very environmentally suitable for development. 

 Furthermore, in 1985, the full development of the Route 117 industrial property off Pohagenut Road near what is now the Marriott Hotel did not occur as initially predicted, nor did it reduce existing property taxes for Groton citizens, as initially promised. Moreover, the anticipated major construction of a 4-year University failed to materialize. 

  Therefore, common sense dictates that more focus and energy needs to be directed into developing that property off Rt. 117, bringing it up to full usage capacity, rather than voting in favor of the very questionable Flanders Road Bond. Let's finish what was started back in 1985 so that it will benefit the taxpayers, as initially promised, before jumping into another financial commitment that involves even more risk.