Answers - Lou Federici - Candidate for Board of Finance

Q1: Do you support the construction of a new high school as approved by the Board of Education in 2008? If yes, please describe what you would do in your role on the [B.O.E., B.O.S., B.O.F.] to support the passage of the referendum. If no, please describe what modifications need to be made to the current proposal in order for you to support it.

A1: Personally, I believe that a High School is the most important municipal building in a community and that Guilford needs to act decisively now to create a new school that completely meets the educational needs of our students and is available to the community as well. The initial proposals put forth in 2008 have been modified by the Board of Ed -- incorporating the science wing into the project and saving the newly installed turf field, both of which I strongly encouraged and support. Moreover, as I understand it, the existing proposal is under further review, as to site location and as to final detailed plans. I am encouraged by the continued hard work of the Board of Ed. As far as supporting this project, I can sincerely say that in the past once I have cast a yes vote on an issue I have enthusiastically supported the same, whether it has been a budget, bond issue or referendum.

As for our role at this time, as a sitting member of the Board of Finance, I believe that it would be inappropriate to make a commitment with regard to on-going deliberations of another Board. Our role is to evaluate the financial impact on the town of a project such as this, once it has been sent by the Board of Education to the Board of Selectmen for their deliberation and only then on to our board. I am encouraged by the progress that has been made toward achieving a New High School of which the entire community could be proud.

Q2: What will you do in your role on the [B.O.E., B.O.S., B.O.F.] to ensure drafting of a town & education budget which meets the needs of the town and schools of Guilford AND is likely to be approved by the voters in a referendum?

A2: I see our role on the board of finance as continuing to balance the needs of the entire community against the fiscal impact on taxpayers. Since the Board of Finance is not charged with day to day policy decisions and planning, we are removed from the special interest needs/pressures of particular groups. This is the our local “separation of powers” and it is, I believe, an effective way to maximize services while ensuring that the interests of the taxpayers are consistently taken into consideration. I further believe that the long-term interests of the town should not be sacrificed to short-term crisis. We need to stay focused on those things that make our community unique and special. Our obligation as members of the board of finance is to ensure that the financial health of the town, for the long-term, is protected.

Q3: As things currently stand, the town and education budgets are growing at a rate which exceeds the growth of the grand list. In your role on the [B.O.E., B.O.S., B.O.F.], what steps will you take to address this growing gap between budget expenditures and tax revenues?

A3: Our role on the Board of Finance is to make sure that only those taxes are levied that are necessary to deliver the services required by the town. In a growing town, such as Guilford, that likely means modest increases year to year. At times, the Grand List and other revenue sources will cover a significant portion of those increases. At times, there will be the need to increase taxes to pay for such essential services. Part of our job, is to continually scrutinize each and every proposal for spending to make sure that only those that are truly essential and that advance the needs of the community are approved. Also, such commercial development that is consistent with the character of our town should be encouraged to help spread the tax base.