www.WashingtonCT.org The Town of Washington, Connecticut Town Planning Process

Focus Forum

Minutes from Meeting on November 17th, 2004

First Selectman Richard Sears opened the final planning forum. This followed the four previously forums on open space, diversified housing, education and municipal projects. Dick explained an initial straw poll would be taken at the end of the evening in an attempt to begin to determine the public's priorities. The Town's website, as well as a town-wide mailer, will provide the opportunity for all residents to voice their opinion. The results of the poll will be available at the beginning of 2005. Dick acknowledged the efforts of all the Town boards during the planning process and especially those of Dan Sherr, Jack Field, Michael Jackson, Jay Hubelbank and Bill Fairbairn.

Dan Sherr presented the agenda and suggested the audience think about the choices and decisions they made thirty years ago and how they affect their lives today. The agenda included a review of the four initiatives, anticipated costs and the implications in terms of taxes and funding.

Goals for Preserving Open Space:

Maintaining the rural character of the Town by increasing the amount of open space from 19% to 30% within the next decade.

Maintaining and supporting an active farming community.

Managing growth by encouraging private open space and permanent easements.

Acquiring open space for the Town through acquisition with Town funds and through easements with tax abatements. (Add $300,000 per year in Town budget).

Finding private, state and federal funds for this purpose.

Goals for Housing Diversity: Dan noted in an attempt to maintain the rural character of the Town, diversity in terms of age, skills, income, etc. is required. The Town will attempt to respond to state mandates requiring a certain amount of housing at an affordable price. This could include:

Adding 96 affordable housing units over the next ten years.

Establishing a parcel program to allow for limited equity and single home purchases or construction.

Creating a Housing Commission or Authority to manage this process.

Partnering with the private sector in this endeavor.

Seeking approximately $300,000/year in tax funds to provide for housing.

Coordinating with private, federal and state sources.

Seeking possible municipal bonding to make funds available for diversity.

Goals for Educational Needs:

After having polled the elected officials of the three towns, it had been determined that the towns did not want to give up their elementary schools and that renovation of the three existing primary schools would be the most satisfactory solution for overcrowding and deteriorating buildings. This would mean major renovation and some expansion of the schools. The buildings do not meet the current building codes nor the education requirements for classroom size. There have been no renovations made in the past twenty years. To accomplish this goal, the Region would most likely bond over a twenty-year period and the State would provide 30% of the funding needed. Each town would share the cost of the renovations in proportion to its annual enrollment figures in the schools.

Discussion on the proposed renovations to the three primary schools was held. It had been the sense of town officials that the three towns wanted to maintain individual primary school buildings. The Board of Education voted to proceed in this direction and formed a Building Committee. Designs are being developed with associated costs for all three buildings. A referendum will be held in the Spring. Application for State funding would be made by the Region for an anticipated 30% state reimbursement of costs. Costs per town would be based annually on each town's school population. It was recognized that in some areas we are inefficient due in part to the large land area covered by the Region as compared to the numbers of students. It is estimated an extra $500,000 is required annually to maintain the three separate primary schools. It was also felt that additional staff would be needed once renovations were complete and these additional costs should be included in the estimates. If the renovation proposal is not approved, the project would most likely be scaled down or another look could be given to a regional primary school.

Goals for Municipal Projects:

Bryan Memorial Town Hall: Upgrading infrastructure, some of which would be partially funded through the Bryan Hall Trust.

Town Garage: Increase storage space for public works material.

Old Town Garage Site: Clean up of Titus Road property

Town Beach: Renovations to beach house and boat house in conjunction with boat ramp renovations. Partially funded by DEP grant.

Depot study.

Michael Jackson reported an attempt has been made to quantify the four alternatives and forecast costs over the next 4-5 years to provide as much information to the public.

The current mill rate is 11. Cost projections assume a 3% annual increase in spending for the Town, a 5% increase for Education expense and a 2% increase in tax revenue over the next five years. The mill rate of 11 would increase to 13.2 or 3.7% without any new spending.

The following additional assumptions were projected for the New Initiatives: $330,000 annually for Open Space, $330,000 for Housing, $821,000 for Education renovation (figured at costs of $30,000,000 with a 1/3 return from the State), and $350,000 for Municipal Projects. This total $1,845,000 for new expenses over the base case and would result in an additional 1.9 mill increase. These additional costs would be phased-in over several years. If all the initiatives are instituted as projected, along with the projected budget increases, the projected mil rate will rise to 15.1. The first full year of maximum tax impact is projected to be 2009-10.

Michael reminded the public the planning exercise had been done to get a sense of what lies ahead. There is the assumption that the town will borrow money. All three towns currently have an AA bond rating, which would allow borrowing at a lower rate. This rating is worth protecting. If this forecast does come true and the Region borrows $20,000,000, the Town would have approximately $10,000,000 in costs. This could affect our AA rating and would not allow much room for further borrowing. Michael thanked Jack Field for his efforts in compiling the financial projections, noting the Boards of Finance and Selectmen will review the surveys for guidance toward the future.

Michael noted all Town funds are deposited to the General Fund and transfers are made for specifically approved capital projects. It is difficult to forecast revenue and over time a surplus has been built up. The Finance Board will draw from the prior years' surplus if necessary to maintain a flat tax rate. The Board's policy is to maintain funds to cover a month's expense and to have a cushion for emergencies. Currently there is about $400,000 in surplus.

Concern about the additional costs for these initiatives was again raised. A change in zoning laws was suggested, as well as concern over the cost of land for young people. It was noted that the Town is very progressive with regard to accessory apartments. Currently, one attached and one detached apartment are allowed, which is more than most towns. However, land requirements must be met based on our soil-based zoning and density. Many accessory apartments meet the State definition of "affordable"; however, the they need to be deed-restricted and many property owners are not willing to do that. Zoning is investigating the possibility of seeking properties that could be leased by homebuilders for a long period of time. This would relieve them of land costs.

It was agreed the reason for the forums was to allow everyone the right to express their opinions. And that they did!

The forum was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Gollow
Selectman's Assistant