Welcome to the 1st Newsletter from the Town of New Fairfield, CT. Our goal is to bring you current information, introduce you to employees and board members in the Town, and let you know what is going on that we think will be of interest to you.
The First Selectman's View from Town Hall
It’s almost Spring! I am very pleased to announce the launch of a monthly Newsletter highlighting important news, activities and events in New Fairfield. I am always looking for new ways to communicate information to New Fairfield residents, and I hope that you find this new addition helpful.
March is budget month in New Fairfield. On Saturday, March 5 beginning at 9:00 AM, the Board of Finance will conduct the annual budget hearing via ZOOM. The meeting link and agenda can be found on the home page of the town website. The BOF will continue to meet every Wednesday evening in March to discuss the budget and make adjustments that they feel are necessary before presenting the budget to the taxpayers at referendum, typically held in early May. I encourage taxpayers to participate in the budget process to hear the proposals put forth by the BOS and BOE and to provide input to all three Boards.
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Renderings of the Consolidated Early Learning Academy
Renderings of the High School
If you have taken a ride by the schools recently, you have surely seen the progress that has been made on the new schools. The Permanent Building Committee has confirmed that the new Consolidated Early Learning Academy will open on schedule at the start of the 2022/2023 school year.
The High School project is on schedule to open in the Fall of 2023. The steel superstructure is currently under construction and the project remains within budget.
How the Town Pays for the School Projects
The Town issues municipal bonds to pay for the balance of the funds authorized by the voters at referendum. The cost of bonding is reflected in the "debt service" line in the Town budget. Therefore, as we continue to issue bonds, according to the cash flow analysis for the projects, the debt service line will increase. Once the entire project is bonded, debt service will level off, and as the bonds mature, debt service will decrease. It is important to note that "debt service" is only one of five lines in the municipal budget. The other components of the budget include municipal and educational operations, medical and capital/non-recurring costs.
The two school projects will require bonding of approximately $83 million issued in four separate phases. Bonding began in the spring of 2020, followed by the second phase of bonding in April of last year. The remaining phases are estimated to occur in March of this year and in the winter of 2023. At the start of the projects, the Boards of Selectmen, Education and Finance agreed to keep the operational elements of the BOS and BOE budgets as close to flat as possible, and the Boards have successfully met that challenge in the first two years of bonding.
Debt service related to the first bond of $8 million was $586,480 ($400,000 in principal and $183,480 in interest). The effect of the bonding was a 1.16% increase in debt service in the fiscal year 20/21 budget. The remaining components of the budget decreased by a total 0.17%, therefore, the resulting increase in property taxes in 20/21 was 0.99%. In April of 2021, the Town bonded $25 million at an interest rate of 1.64%, much lower than the 3.25% rate projected at the time of the referendum. This resulted in a 2.82% increase in debt service ($1,020,000 in principal and $409,996 in interest). The remaining elements of the budget increased by 0.17%, resulting in a total increase in property taxes of 2.98%.
It is anticipated that the remaining bond issuances will be $35 million this year and approximately $12 million in fiscal year 23/24. We anticipate that the total effect of the two school projects will be at or below the 9.62% increase in property taxes publicized prior to the referendum.
The School Plans are on display to be viewed in the Library.
FISH (Friends In Service Here)
FISH is a network of dedicated volunteers in New Fairfield, CT who provide transportation to medical and dental appointments in and out of New Fairfield, Danbury, Bethel, New Milford or the Brookfield area.
They also provide non-medical appointments strictly within New Fairfield to places such as New Fairfield Food Bank, Senior Center, Library, Grocery Stores, etc...
FISH Organizers pictured from left to right are: Brooke Monsky, Gina O'Connell, Reggie Lambrech (FISH Chair), Kathy Hull, Ernie Lehman and Khris Hall
Call 203-312-5627 to schedule a ride. Contact: FishofNF@gmail.com for more information. If you are unable to volunteer but would like to offer financial support to the organization, please send your donation to: FISH of NF, 6 Bayview Terrace, New Fairfield, CT 06812.
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VACCINATION CLINIC
Griffin Health is holding vaccination clinics in New Fairfield through the end of March at St. Edward the Confessor Church at 21 Brush Hill Road and New Fairfield High School as indicated on the following schedule:
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COVID-19 TESTING IN NEW FAIRFIELD
As a convenience to our residents, the NF Health Department has arranged for PCR testing in New Fairfield. Testing is by appointment only, Monday-Friday, at no cost to the Town or patient.
TOWN AND SCHOOL BUDGET
On Saturday, March 5, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) and the Board of Education will present the municipal and education budgets for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Board of Finance (BOF). Throughout the month of March, the Board of Finance will hold weekly meetings to discuss, ask questions, make adjustments and ultimately approve a budget to send to the taxpayers for approval. The BOS budget is also referred to as the “Town” budget – the budget that specifies how revenues will be expended to provide services to residents, and it accounts for approximately 25% of the total Municipal Budget. As taxpayers, it is critical for us to understand why there is an increase in the budget, where tax revenue is being spent, and what services we want our town to provide. Today’s column focuses on how the BOS developed the Town budget, and will touch on some of the proposed expenditures in the budget.
The BOS budget determines how the town will distribute tax dollars to fund services such as police, fire, emergency response, road repair and paving, maintenance of town buildings and parks, social services, animal control, senior center programs and the public library. The budget also provides funding for intergovernmental services such as HART Transit, household hazardous waste disposal and the Candlewood Lake Authority. The BOS compiles the budget based upon meetings with each department head. These knowledgeable employees develop budgets line by line based on prior years’ experience, professional knowledge and upcoming projects. This year, the BOS held eight public budget workshops to gather this information and discuss the requests. At the conclusion of the workshops, the department requests increased $957,519 over last year.
Recognizing the pressures on this year’s budget related to increased bonding for the new schools and inflationary increases in the cost of utilities, goods and services, the BOS took steps to make reductions in both the Town operating and capital budgets. After careful review, the BOS was able to reduce the requested capital increase by $431,607 by funding necessary capital requests with existing funds and deferring less critical projects and purchases to future years. The capital requests that we were able to fund include active shooter kits for the police department, repairs to the Animal Control building and Town Hall Annex, a replacement for a 2008 truck for the Health Department and purchase of a replacement AC unit for Ball Pond firehouse. We also reduced operating costs by $121,012 by making adjustments in payroll and using existing funds for necessary expenditures requested by Animal Control and the Ball Pond Advisory Committee.
At the end of the process, the BOS voted unanimously to approve a municipal budget totaling $13,265,589, an increase of $404,907 or 3.15% over last year. The majority of the increase includes:
• $150,000 in contractual salary increases for Town union employees, and $11,000 in the Registrar of Voters salary budget attributable to state legislative redistricting,
• $92,000 in increased utility costs, including electricity, fuel oil, gasoline and diesel,
• $29,000 in Public Works contracted services (Many of our contractors, including plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors and landscapers have kept their contract prices flat for several years, but the increase in the cost of fuel, labor and materials has necessitated increases in their pricing.)
• $105,000 to restore a portion of the road repair budget cut in previous years necessary to continue repair and maintenance of Town roads.
The BOS budget is just one piece of the Municipal budget. Other components of the budget include the taxable grand list, medical insurance, debt service, non-taxpayer revenue, adjustments to property taxes and BOE operating and capital expenses. Some components of the budget contribute to an increase in the mill rate, and some lessen the impact of the increases.
I have recently seen claims of a looming 8.11% increase in taxes on social media. The 8.11% mentioned in last week’s Town Tribune refers to the increase in the total of BOE operating expenses and costs associated with the bonding for the new schools. As mentioned above, other components of the budget, including an above average increase in the taxable grand list, will mitigate this increase. It is much too early in the process to determine how all of these components will come together to affect the mill rate.
I have highlighted the elements of the municipal budget to emphasize the importance of your participation in the budget process. Please plan to attend or watch the Budget presentation beginning at 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 5. I also encourage you to attend the BOF meetings which will be held every Wednesday evening in March. ZOOM links for the meetings can be found on the home page of the Town website, www.newfairfield.org. Ask questions; provide input to our Board members. The municipal budget is YOUR budget – please participate!
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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA)
The Act has provided municipalities and school districts in Connecticut with $2.55 billion of funding for specific purposes. ARPA funds may be used as follows:
- to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses and non-profits, or to aid impacted industries such as tourism, travel or hospitality,
- to respond to essential workers performing essential work during the public health emergency by providing premium pay to essential workers,
- for the provision of government services, and
- to make necessary investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.
The funds may not be used to fund pension funds, to compensate for lost tax revenue, or to replenish "rainy day" funds. The intent of ARPA is to look forward and not backward-in other words-funding should be used for new projects, not to reimburse projects already funded through other sources. Municipalities are urged to identify pre-pandemic inhibitors to growth when considering eligible projects, and to ensure that investments will result in lasting benefits.
New Fairfield will receive approximately $4.1 million in ARPA funds over two years. When ARPA funding was announced in July of last year, the Board of Selectman convened a working group comprised of Town employees and officials with expertise consistent with the goals of ARPA. This group includes the Town Engineer (infrastructure), the Health Director (public health response), Economic Development Commission Chair (negative economic impacts and aid to small business), Social Services Director (aid to households), and the Emergency Management Director, Police Sergeant, and Fire Chief (public safety) to advise us on town needs in their respective areas consistent with the provisions of ARPA. The working group reports to the BOS periodically on potential projects that may be funded with ARPA funds. The meetings are Special Board of Selectmen meetings that are noticed and open to the public. Meeting dates are posted on the town website, www.newfairfield.org. To date, the working group has presented information to the BOS on the following projects:
- Business/Commercial Sewer Study and Design
- Ball Pond Watershed Stormwater Drainage
- Public Safety Improvements
- Premium Pay for Public Health and Safety Employees
- Emergency Housing Fund
- Beach House Reconstruction
- Small Business Grants
After the scope of the projects identified by the working group has been defined and each project has been reviewed for eligibility, the BOS will hold additional public hearings on the proposed projects. Projects approved by the BOS will be presented to the Board of Finance for review and approval and then to referendum for final approval by taxpayers. You are encouraged to attend upcoming BOS meetings for more detailed information on this important project.
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SEWER STUDY
When Khris Hall and Pat Del Monaco ran for office four years ago, they pledged to work toward filling the empty storefronts in the business/commercial district. They promised to identify the root causes of the high vacancy rate and to work with property owners and Town officials to find solutions. Soon after taking office, they established the Economic Development Commission comprised of volunteers with diverse backgrounds. The mission of the EDC is "to attract, promote, retain and engage business in the town while keeping in line with the town's historic character, small town charm, quality of life and environment." The Commission has been instrumental in working with business owners, residents and property owners to better understand the business climate in New Fairfield.
One of the concerns shared by commercial property owners is the lack of adequate water supply and sewer infrastructure to attract a variety of businesses to their properties. For example, prospective bagel shop and barber shop owners have declined to open businesses in Town due to water and septic limitations. Roughly 30 years ago, the Town declined the opportunity to connect to the Regional Waste Treatment Facility located in Danbury. Reliance on septic systems severely restricts both the types of businesses that can operate in Town and the potential growth of our existing small businesses. Further, most septic systems in the center of Town are close to 30 years old, and located above the largest drinking water aquifer in New Fairfield, presenting a potential environmental concern should the systems fail.
A sewer feasibility study identifying the potential wastewater volume generated by our existing commercial properties and Town buildings and the technical requirement for a sewer system adequate for that flow has been completed using budgeted funds over the past two years. The next step would be to complete the system design, obtain necessary permits and pursue an interlocal agreement with the City of Danbury allowing a connection to the city's waste treatment plant. This phase of the project would cost approximately $1.6 million, proposed to be funded through the American Rescue Plan funds.
The priority area for the project is the business commercial district extending from Consolidated School through the center of Town, north to the Senior Center, east to Heritage Plaza and south to Cottontail Road. The system could be expanded to include the schools, police and fire buildings, the senior housing complexes at Dunham Pond and the Birches and the business/commercial area off of Sawmill Road, all currently served by aging septic systems. However, unless the Town can obtain funding for the entire sewer project, it is likely that the project will be completed in phases, beginning with the business/commercial district.
The project has been developed using existing zoning restrictions on properties throughout the center of Town. To be very clear, the project allows only for connecting sewer to the existing affordable housing complexes located at Dunham Pond and The Birches; it has not been sized for additional affordable housing or multi-family housing of any type. This is misinformation being spread by those opposed to additional affordable housing in the center of Town.
The American Rescue Plan Act specifically allows for funds to be used on sewer and water infrastructure projects, and the Selectman proposes using those funds for the feasibility study described above. Construction of all phases of the project is estimated to cost approximately $18 million. The Town would seek funding for construction through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and other state and funding opportunities that may be available. Congress passed the Federal Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which will provide States and municipalities with funding for the projects such as construction of sewer and water infrastructure. To apply for these funds, the Town must have a project that is "shovel ready." Therefore, using the ARPA funds to move forward with design and permitting is crucial to secure federal funding for construction of the sewer.
If you have any questions about this project, please check the calendar on the Town website for Special BOS meetings of the ARPA Working Group or call the Selectman's Office at 203-312-5600.
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GIRL SCOUT WEEK
Girl Scout Week is celebrated every March around March 12th, which is the Birthday for the Girl Scouts, when Juliette Gordon Low registered the first 18 members in Savannah, Georgia. This year it starts on March 6th and includes the 110th birthday of Girl Scouts.
The New Fairfield Service Unit is hosting a week long program for Girl Scouts to celebrate around town. Events include a virtual dance party, hike s'more family day, acts of kindness around town, wearing their uniforms and green Girl Scout gear throughout the week. They will also be celebrating Girl Scout Sunday, March 6th, at St. Edward's in town.
If you are interested in becoming part of the Girl Scouts of New Fairfield, either as a Girl Scout or Adult volunteer, please email to newfairfieldgirlscouts.com.
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St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Ancient Order of Hibernians of Danbury will be holding their 52nd St. Patrick's Day mass and parade on Saturday, March 12, 2022. The mass will be at 9 a.m. at St. Edward's Church and following the mass, there will be a parade led by the Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums Band. All are welcome to march in the parade.
The parade will start right after mass and lead down Brush Hill Road to Town Hall where there will be an Irish flag raising. We will be greeted by First Selectman Pat Del Monaco and other dignitaries. Afterwards, please enjoy some refreshments in the Children's Library. All are welcome-everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day! -Peter Hearty
May your clovers have leaves of four and your luck last forevermore.
MEET OUR NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR-OLGA MELNIKOV
Olga has been in the Accounting field for over 15 years, and transitioned into municipal finance from private industry 4 years ago. The move that started with an opportunity, resulted in a true passion. Olga is impressed with the structure, process and transparency of a municipal budget. It is fascinating to be part of a "budget circle," where the needs and vision of the Town is translated into monetary value, then supported with a tax levy, and returned back to the taxpayers in a form of services and capital improvements or purchases to achieve that vision.
What does Olga bring to the team? She has received a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Kean University and a Master's Degree in Mathematics from WCSU. She has grown within the accounting field, which allowed her to get in-depth knowledge of various positions. The past few years of municipal experience provided her with the knowledge of Town operations, budget process, debt issuance, and countless variables to go with it.
Olga is excited to join and lead New Fairfield's Finance Department as it is a strong and synergetic team. Full credit goes to Ed Sbordone for building such a wonderful group that really is a backbone of the Town's finances.
She looks forward to being a part of such a collaborative environment created by the Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen and Board of Education along with department heads and other boards and commissions. This cooperation shows through the Town's strong financial performance, "clean" audits, and recently re-affirmed AAA bond rating.
Olga feels welcomed and is thankful to her team and everyone in Town for their support. The journey has begun and she couldn't be happier that is it here, in the Town of New Fairfield!
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MEET HOLLY Z. SMITH-OUR NEW TOWN CLERK
Holly Smith began her tenure as elected Town Clerk on January 3, 2022, but began working in the Town Clerk's office in February 2008. Over the past 13 years she has taken training courses at Central Connecticut State University and has attended classes at bi-annual Town Clerk conferences to educate herself in all aspects of the office. She is a member of the Connecticut Town Clerk Association. She is a Certified Connecticut Town Clerk, a Connecticut Notary Public, and a Justice of the Peace. Prior to working in the Town Clerk's Office, Holly was employed at Reader's Digest/QSP Inc. and Pepsi-Cola.
Holly is a lifelong resident of New Fairfield. She attended New Fairfield High School, the Berkley Business College and Western Connecticut University. Holly has volunteered in the New Fairfield Public School system in various positions for the past 17 years-she has been a Co-President of the PTO for the last 14 years. Holly is also a lifelong member of the Congregational Church of New Fairfield.
Holly wants to serve the Town of New Fairfield as a way to express her gratitude to the town and to follow through with the goal of providing courteous and efficient services to our residents and taxpayers.
TOWN PHOTO PRESENTATION
On February 16, Lee Scott from Drone-CT LLC presented the town with a stunning aerial view of Town Center and beyond. The beautiful framing was done by Barn Gallery & Frame Shop LLC in New Fairfield. We thank them both for sharing their talent with the Town.
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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Regional Events
The Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) facilitates hazardous waste disposal events for municipalities in their region, which includes New Fairfield. The next event will be held on Saturday, April 9 from 9am-2pm at Danbury Public Works at 53 Newtown Road, Danbury, CT.
For information on what is acceptable to bring and the protocol for this event and future events, click here:
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Meeting Calendar
The calendar for the Town of New Fairfield board and commission meetings can be found at:
Please join us at our meetings to find out what is going on in New Fairfield in further depth. The calendar will let you know if the meeting is in person or will provide the Zoom link if it is remote. We look forward to you attending the meetings and welcome your participation.
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Thank you for reading the New Fairfield Newsletter
Town of New Fairfield, 4 Brush Hill Road, New Fairfield, CT 06812
Credits:
Created with images by gustavofrazao - "Hand writing the text: Budget" • annawaldl - "sewer pipes tube construction material" • GregReese - "sewer grass old" • steinchen - "lucky clover clover happiness"