This Week’s Letters to the Editor

Editor’s Note: The Letters to the Editor section in the Woodbridge Town Chronicle is a place where community voices can be shared and heard. In the print newspapers of years past, letters to the editor were often the liveliest section, where readers spoke directly to one another, the broader community, and its leaders. To submit a letter for consideration please refer to the submission guidelines.

Before Beecher Road School vote, we need to know the worst-case scenario

To the editor,

For the past 18 months, I’ve spent many hours attending meetings, watching YouTube, and reading news coverage to understand the proposed Beecher Road School project.

Last week’s Board of Selectmen meeting provided a leap forward in my understanding. What I learned raised serious concerns.

We’re told that while the project is estimated at $118.5 million, it is hoped state reimbursement will bring our cost down to $55.5 million — about quadruple the previous largest bond the Town has approved.

The referendum will ask voters to approve the full $118.5 million. What happens if the referendum passes but reimbursement is less than the Town estimated?

The First Selectman has said the project would not go forward without the full reimbursement. But what is the legal mechanism for that?

At the very least, the Town Finance Director should model the tax implications of the full $118.5 million. In addition to hoping for the best-case scenario, we need to know the worst-case scenario before we vote.

Given the zeal with which some Selectmen are advocating for this project, I question whether they would abandon it if grant funding falls short or costs exceed current estimates.

When the Amity building project exceeded the amount voters authorized in 2004 ($68 million), the district held another referendum to authorize additional funding ($6.8 million) the following year.

But for the October Beecher referendum, no additional voter approval is required if $55.5 million is exceeded. The BOS may have the authority to proceed even if the state grant is smaller than expected or the taxpayer share becomes much larger due to escalating costs — so long as total borrowing remains within the $118.5 million authorized ceiling.

Do I trust that at least four Selectmen will hold the line at $55.5 million? I do not. I will be voting NO. We need a better plan and a better process.

— Cathy Wick

Editor’s Note: Letters reflect the perspectives of their authors. They are published to foster dialogue about issues of local concern, including questions of governance, transparency, and accountability, as well as topics such as highlighting upcoming or past events from community groups. To submit a letter for consideration please refer to the submission guidelines.