Answers - Republican Committee Response

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: The motion approved by the Board of Education (BOE) at their September 15, 2008 is as follows;

“Upon a motion made and amended by Mrs. Beeman and seconded by Dr. Meyers, the Board voted eight in favor of requesting that the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectman schedule a public referendum on the question of issuing bonds in an amount not to exceed $112,093,550 to build a new high school on the present high school site. Mr. Zuse opposed the motion “

We, the undersigned Republican candidates, do not presently support this motion due to additional information described below, but do support a referendum question to request funding to proceed with design phase at a site specific location.

Following the BOE action in September, 2008, the Board of Selectman (BOS) called for a Special Joint Meeting of the BOS, Board of Finance (BOF) and BOE to review and discuss the motion as presented. At this meeting and two subsequent Joint Board meetings, numerous questions and concerns were raised with respect to the motion. The questions involved basis for the cost figure, lack of comprehensive cost estimates, lack of detailed cost analysis, lack of design drawings and site plans, lack of a detailed site selection process and lack of detailed educational specification analysis. There was also significant discussion about whether portions of the existing GHS facilities (science wing, gymnasium, stadium field) would or could be incorporated into the new facility.

While many questions have since been adequately answered, several major issues remain. At the most recent Joint Board meeting held in July, 2009, there was virtually unanimous support for a proposal to effectively withdraw the BOE motion made in September, 2008.

The BOE is now in the process of completing a site feasibility study to determine whether the current GHS site is the most suitable site for construction of a new GHS. or perhaps at another location. Once that process is completed, an RFQ will be developed seeking bids for the preparation of detailed design specifications and plans for the proposed new High School at a site specific location. It is expected that the cost of this phase of the development (design and specification plans) will be approximately $1.0M.

There is unanimous agreement that funding for this phase will not be undertaken without seeking voter approval through a referendum. The date of the referendum has yet to be established. Republicans have recommended that this question be presented along with the Annual Budget in April, 2010.

We, the undersigned Republican candidates, will unanimously support a motion to submit a referendum question to Guilford taxpayers requesting funding of up to $1.0M for the purposes of proceeding with the site specific design phase of this project

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: We, the undersigned Republican candidates, will continue to act responsibly and prudently in working closely with all Board members to present budgets that truly meet the needs of our community. We can and we will present budgets that provide for excellence in education, assure public safety and maintain services that enhance the quality of life for all of our citizens.

We are committed to the development of a combined town and school-wide Long Term Fiscal Plan that address and prioritize needs both long term and short term. We believe we can work collectively with our dedicated administrators, staff and citizens to develop and implement cost saving efficiencies that improve our overall capacity to deliver required services. We have identified many expenses that can be reduced through the use of technology and innovative problem solving solutions.

Collectively, we represent a diverse group with specific and critical skill sets perfectly aligned with Guilford’s current needs. We have the experience necessary to take on the fiscal challenges ahead and the common sense to do what is required to assure fiscal stability.

We pledge to keep tax increases to a minimum, while balancing the needs of our community against its ability to fund those needs. We pledge to present fair and responsible budgets to the citizens of Guilford.

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: We, the undersigned Republican candidates, agree that operating budgets are out pacing the growth of our Grand List, and if not properly addressed, residential property taxes will continue to out pace inflation rates.

This problem has three basic solutions: reduce expenses, increase revenues, or a combination of both. We prefer the combination approach.

With respect to increasing the revenue side of the equation, we can and we will pursue increased economic development of our commercial tax base. Currently, residential property taxes account for over 90% of our local tax revenue. We believe it is the duty of every elected official to do their part to enhance and grow our commercial tax base, keeping in mind the need to maintain the charm and character of our community. We need to work with our current business owners, not against them to assure they continue to grow and prosper. We can and we must attract cleaner commercial development that fits in with the historic nature of our community. Guilford’s Plan for Comprehensive Development has identified those areas of town best suited for commercial development. It is a well thought out plan and one that needs to be adhered to. We are committed to working closely with our regulatory Boards and Commissions to make certain prospective business ventures are taken thought the process in a fair and congenial manner. We need to be very mindful of new or proposed regulations that serve as an impediment to that process.

Expense reductions can be accomplished in a myriad of ways. We are proposing the appointment of a Task Force, comprised of citizen volunteers, to do a comprehensive, top to bottom review of day to day activities and expenditures. A review of day to day activities may uncover processes that are antiquated, un-necessary or simply of no useful benefit in today’s society. We have identified many activities already that fit this profile and believe there are likely more. The review may identify labor intensive functions that can often be eliminated or completed more efficiently through the use of technology. Savings achieved in this process may be in small increments, however they aggregate to significant sums. There are also expenditures that may have one day been acceptable, but can no longer be justified during these austere times. We plan to eliminate these non-essential expenses. These savings are not likely to fully close the gap created by diminishing Grand List growth, but they will certainly be part of the solution.

Guilford has long history of working together to solve our problems. The gap between increased operating expenses and static Grand List growth is not an insurmountable problem. It’s a problem in need of a solution and we believe we are the most experienced and knowledgeable group to get that accomplished. We invite you to visit our web site at www.mazza09.com to learn more about us and what we plan to do if elected on November 3rd. Please vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Joseph S. Mazza
Charles L. Havrda
Cynthia M. Cartier
David F. Egan
Kimberly Brockett
Santella A. DiLieto
Keith B. Bishop
Emelinda A. Sanacora
John M. Ireland
Susan Koch Renner