Schools

Parent Blasts Account Shift

by Magda Lowenberg

I am disgusted and dismayed at the actions of the Town Council regarding the Board of Education health insurance account.

Not only did they mislead the Board of Education and the public but they misled each other. A motion was made to move money from the Board of Education health insurance account to a new account on the Town side of the Budget. Democrats and some Republicans objected to this, saying that the Board of Education had already agreed to seek bids for a combined Board of Education/Town Insurance plan. They also argued that by funding this line item there were potential legal issues that needed more exploration.  Ignoring these pleas and two completely contradictory legal opinions, the Republicans voted to create the line item but assured all that it would not be funded.

Then they took a recess.

Not more than 20 minutes later they returned and to the dismay of those watching  promptly made a motion to move $1.07 million from the Board of Education insurance account to the new account! Councilman John DelVecchio (D) pointed out that this was contrary to what they had said 20 minutes ago.

When Councilman Meisner (D) pointed out their motion was about $200,000 more than the insurance increase, the majority of Republicans ignored him! Each and every rationale and excuse for taking this action was shot down as either wrong or contrary to something they said moments ago. Audible gasps could be heard from the public in the audience as they voted to fund the account anyway.

Only Councilwoman Marks (R) and Councilmen Pescatore (R) and Pia(R) broke Republican ranks and cast ethical votes. As for the remainder of the Republican majority, by this 20 minute turnaround and their refusal to listen, they have imperiled the credibility of the Council, caused distrust among other branches of government, hurt their individual reputations, and most importantly, overtaxed the taxpayers by over $200,000.

Oh yes, not one additional penny will be saved by this action.

Is this any way to run a government? What kind of lesson is this for our children? What message does this send? This was a new low for our Town when our representatives can't keep their word for more than 20 minutes.

Magda Lowenberg

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