TOWN FINANCES: the 2010 Budget
In Fiscal Year 2010, Fairfield faces one of the most challenging and difficult budgets in decades because of the worsening economy. We are working hard to ensure Fairfield will continue to be a strong and vibrant community. We are trying our best to constrain spending and keep taxes stable. The adopted budget increase of 0.7% for fiscal year 2010 is the lowest increase since 1998.
Town managers worked extremely hard to keep the increase for this next fiscal year as low as possible without hurting essential services. Fairfield values good services. We must not cut back programs that are vital to sustain our community. This budget is below the rate of inflation, but it did not come easily without making tough choices. Fourteen town positions have been abolished, saving about $1.4 million dollars per year. This leaner workforce is almost identical to the number of employees who worked for the town 20 years ago. With an increased demand on services, Fairfield is now operating with the lowest number of employees per capita in decades.
The welfare of our community and its citizens are the top priority for this Administration. Citizens should be assured that every measure has been taken to cut costs and keep operations as lean and efficient as possible. In addition, the RTM has increased senior tax relief. Fairfield serves as a model for other communities striking that fine balance of serving its residents in the most efficient manner possible. Fairfield's Triple AAA rating remains strong and town officials have committed to keep town finances stable during this period of economic turmoil.
SCHOOLS
Fairfield prides itself on having a very strong education system. All children receive a quality education in safe, well-built schools. The First Selectman's Office continues to support school resources that help deliver top-quality services along with enhancements to science programs, early childhood education and ongoing infrastructure maintenance.
The Town is proceeding on a vital project to renovate and improve Stratfield Elementary School. The Building Committee has reviewed final plans to fix space needs at this overcrowded school and update old infrastructure systems, some of which date back over 40 years old. First Selectman Flatto said, "This is a top priority for our town and the project will be completed successfully and cost-effectively to solve all key problems at Stratfield school." More information can be obtained from the Stratfield Building Committee page on the town web site.
With all large construction projects behind us, the Board of Selectmen continues to focus on necessary maintenance upgrades at schools. A new annex will open by the fall of 2009 at both Osborn Hill and Sherman Elementary Schools to alleviate overcrowding.
The Selectmen are appointing a Fairfield Woods Building Committee to resolve limited space needs in the Town's middle schools. The plan includes ten classrooms and associated space, needed for the next decade. The FWBC was formed as a result of a middle school feasibility analysis performed over the last several months.
SENIOR AND SOCIAL SERVICES
In an effort to save increase efficiency and save taxpayer dollars, while improving services, the Senior and Social/Human Services departments have been combined into one department. The Senior Center Director, Claire Grace, is the new Director of Senior and Human Services who oversees all senior and social issues. Our social services offices, including Persons with Disabilities, are located at the Senior Center on Mona Terrace. For information, such as heating assistance programs or questions, please call 256-3166.
SENIOR CITIZEN AND DISABLED PERSONS TAX RELIEF
We are very pleased that many Fairfield senior citizens and disabled persons continue to apply for and receive the significantly expanded tax relief programs which will help our most vulnerable senior citizens remain in their homes. The Tax Relief Programs are the most generous and widespread in Connecticut and are used as models by other municipalities.
Close to $3 million is given out to senior citizens in tax relief every year. Last year, an additional funding was budgeted to help about 1600 senior citizen households.
Written information is available in the First Selectman's Office or in the Tax Assessor's Office (1st floor, Old Town Hall).
Seniors and disabled persons can apply annually for tax relief each February to May at the Tax Assessor's Office (Old Town Hall). Applicants must be 65 years old. For more information, call 256-3110.
SENIOR CITIZEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Town is very proud of the newly completed senior affordable housing at the former Washington Park site on Villa Avenue. The site is an important and necessary addition to our community. Our congratulations go out to Mutual Housing, the Town's partner, and the many individuals, organizations and programs that contributed to the success of the project.
LIBRARY
Fairfield is proud to have one of the most active libraries in the state. The quality of our library programs and frequent visits by citizens are a strong reflection of the fine library staff. Among the many important and helpful library programs, the library is offering a series of programs covering all aspects of job searching as a result of the increased number of patrons utilizing the library's resources to help obtain jobs.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
New and Existing Businesses Join Together
In an effort to support local merchants, First Selectman Flatto recently met with new and existing business owners to publicize methods to attract and keep customers and to lend support to one another. The meeting was prompted by a series of new businesses opening around Town over the past few months despite the weakened economy. Town officials, including the Community and Economic Development Director, joined together to show support of our local mom and pop stores and to urge area residents to shop Fairfield.
Whole Foods
In addition to the recent sprout of new businesses, the Town is eager to see the completion of Whole Foods which will soon be built at the former Handy & Harman site in the Grasmere area. Whole Foods, which is a very environmentally friendly company, will bring new needed revenue to the town. Construction at the site, along Grasmere Avenue, will commence this summer.
Exide - Phase 2, The River Clean-up
Exide Group Inc. and Vale Inco Americas Inc. have agreed to a State DPE ordered full clean up the pollution in the Mill River which is located adjacent to the former battery plant. A consent order was issued to the former company owners by the State DEP and agreed to in a stipulated settlement much to the delight of town officials. First Selectman Flatto, who has helped spearhead efforts to get the State and Exide to agree on a final cleanup said, "We have waited for this major progress to take place. The clean up is the last phase of the overall clean up of this dilapidated, idle site. Once the clean up is thoroughly done, the property will be revitalized helping to improve a key corridor along Post Road and to generate needed new revenue to the Town's grand list." The clean up is expected to start by autumn, 2009.
Third Train Station
This is one of the most historic and vital projects for our town. It is also one of the largest economic re-development programs in Connecticut. The State DOT is spearheading much of this work. Fairfield is successfully leading the way turning this abandoned Brownfield into a positive useful site with many benefits.
The project was initiated to solve commuter parking issues. Construction started in 2005. Over 1500 commuters are currently waiting for a parking spot in Fairfield as we have the second most heavily used train stop along the Metro-North rail line.
It was time for Fairfield to get creative by seeking to turn this eyesore of a site into something positive. The Town helped created a unique public-private Brownfield revitalization program with the State of Connecticut and a private developer. Work has commenced on a new fully ADA train station, which is scheduled to open in late 2010, along with a new greenbelt along Ash Creek. The Town purchased 9 acres of the site to construct a train commuter parking lot for 1500 vehicles and will perform off-site traffic safety and road improvements. The Connecticut Department of Transportation is building the train access and platforms to establish the first new Metro-North train station in 50 years. The Developer has proposed a train depot building, an office park, a world class hotel and small retail amenities. The current Administration negotiated to keep Fairfield's cost to a minimal amount.
The project will improve Fairfield's quality of life in many ways:
- thousands of commuters no longer have to wait years to obtain a train parking pass;
- the new station will offer full ADA accessibility;
- a catalyst for positive economic development is created by attracting quality businesses;
- creating local jobs and boosting the State's economy;
- the neglected site will finally be cleaned up and environmentally safe;
- long over-due traffic safety and road improvements will be made to surrounding neighborhoods;
- surrounding house values have increased, helping low-income families;
- downtown roads will be less congested and safer;
- less vehicles on roads will reduce emissions;
- a new 10 acre open space park will be created.
FAIRFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES:
The First Selectman has implemented the following important goals as a means to keep residential areas safe and protected.
- All Fairfield neighborhoods are entitled to the best in town public safety operations which continue 24/7 to protect the safety, peace and tranquility which residents deserve.
- Open spaces and parks enhance quality of life and must be preserved and expanded at every opportunity.
- Historic community landmarks and homes are priceless and should be valued and preserved by all possible means, including historic trust designation where possible.
- Residential neighborhoods and homeowners must be fully protected from construction activities.
- The residential character of the town must be maintained. Residents are guardians of our neighborhoods and we appreciate homeowner efforts.
- Property that becomes blighted must be cleaned, as required by a new ordinance.
- No encroachment of commercial/retail zones can be allowed in residential zones.
PENFIELD PAVILION
The town is very pleased the first phase rehabilitation project for Penfield Pavilion is complete. The pavilion was in dire need of major improvements that had not been made in decades. We are seeking grants to complete Phase II, which will involve the complete renovation of the West Wing of the building. The project meets both flood elevation and ADA compliance requirements.
GOING GREEN
The Town's commitment to clean energy is reflected in our strong leadership on environmental health issues. The Town is helping save energy, money and the environment through several important initiatives. The Town became an early member of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, which seeks to address global warming on the local level. In 2005, Fairfield became the first municipality in Fairfield County to commit to the 20% by 2010 Clean Energy Campaign. Fairfield's Clean Energy Task Force has done a superb job. The campaign seeks to have 20 percent of Connecticut's electricity come from clean sources, like solar and wind. In February 2006, the United Illuminating Company and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund gave the Town a check in the amount of $135,462 in recognition of Fairfield's significant efforts with energy conservation in town buildings. Over the past few years, Fairfield received an additional $329,880 for our school's participation in the program. First Selectman Flatto has fought to obtain grants to reduce emissions from school buses and to clean waters in Long Island Sound. In March 2006, the EPA presented the Town with a $369,000 grant for the placement of new controls in all existing school buses that cut 90% of fuel emissions that cause cancer and respiratory problems. The Town of Fairfield is only one of thirty seven municipalities in the country to receive this important grant. Through its comprehensive energy management program, the Town has reduced electricity consumption and saved citizens significant dollars in utility costs. Fairfield has acquired several clean energy systems that utilize fuel cell and solar photovoltaic technologies for use at its wastewater treatment facility. The town uses many natural gas vehicles. Each year, the Town celebrates Earth Day to highlight green initiatives.
CONSTITUENTS' CONCERNS DAY
First Selectman Flatto holds Constituents' Concerns Day every few months. In an effort to make government more open and accessible to residents, First Selectman Flatto schedules these important meetings in his second floor office at Sullivan Independence Hall, which is located at 725 Old Post Road. Constituents wishing to share ideas or discuss any concerns one on one with the First Selectman should call Jennifer Carpenter at 256-3030 to make an appointment. Residents may contact the First Selectman's Office at any time with problems or questions.
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