Taxes To Rise $159.00 Per Avg. House

Taxes on the typical home in Milford will rise $159 next year under the 2010-11 budget plan the Milford Board of Aldermen adopted Monday night.

The typical home is described as a Cape or raised ranch, valued at $337,900.

Taxes on that typical home were expected to rise $160 next year before the aldermen wrangled several hours Monday night, adjusting the city-wide spending plan by about $457,000, which included about $100,000 in Democrat-proposed reductions and other adjustments throughout the budget.

The new $175.5 million budget will produce a tax rate of 28.44 mills, up from the current rate of 27.50 mills. The mill rate represents the amount of taxes property owners pay for each $1,000 in assessed property value.

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Milford's Budget Deliberations Draw Crowd

This years budget deliberations will begin in earnest and with the voice of the people of Milford who will own up to it and fund the city. City hall was attended by a great deal of city employees last Thursday night. Teachers who are in fear of losing their jobs were all dressed in pink as a show of solidarity and in unison voiced their plea to keep their jobs this year.

Some members of the community, myself included attended the gathering and voiced our opinions at the podium. There was much criticism of the wasteful spending by the Republican administration that has contributed to the job insecurity that our teachers are experiencing.

Aggregate to this years budget woes many people in government and education have automatic raises built in to their contracts. Each year they have the option to forgo those minimal raises to save the jobs of their newer co-workers who have not yet been afforded the protection that tenured teachers enjoy. In essence the raises of the senior teachers and city employees are what dictates the increase in the cost of education. Additionally Health insurance and benefits have also increased contributing to local economic instability.

During these "Great Recessionary times" most newer city employees are fearful of losing their jobs, and many in Milford living on the edge are afraid they will not be able to afford their property taxes in the years to come. The stage is being set for tax increases that will further strain the limited disposable income that is available to Milford's homeowners.

Senator Gayle Slossberg, in a telephone interview made it clear that the state of Connecticut is in "Dire Straits" and that "little to no help" can be expected from Hartford. She said "Milford will have to make do like the rest of the towns in CT who are in the same position... Hartford is looking to get its budget balanced to avoid its own consequences." Gayle did not know how long this recession was going to last, but was optimistic in Milford's ability in being able to solve its own interim problems until she is able to procure more funding from the state.

The event was well attended by the local press, the chairman of all three local political parties were represented and now the time begins to start the difficult process of saving jobs, and keeping property taxes from getting out of control.

The ultimate solution to this ongoing budget saga, according to acting School Superintendent Michael Cummings may be to "revive the idea originally initiated by former Superintendent Firn to merge the two high schools in Milford."

Currently the Milford School system needs $100,000,000.00 in repairs and upgrades, compared to the city abandoning its costliest middle schools in favor of the larger High Schools. Many feel that building a new unified "Green" High School is the answer. The cost of merging the two schools is apx. $60,000,000.00 to the city of Milford. This cost will also accompany an estimated $40,000,000.00 from the state of Connecticut when those funds become available.

The new High School is being looked at with the Burnt Plains lot in mind as the city recently purchased that land. The site is in the vicinity of the YMCA and Platt Tech in Milford.

While this years budget battle is void of any meaningful solutions or good outcomes, the loss of money due to the cruelty of inflation a bad economy and a stagnant grand list is taking its toll on the city.

The emerging consensus is that wisest move is to take a "Long Term" view and begin the difficult process of streamlining education costs on the infrastructure side. The savings potential from a well designed school system will eventually result in higher property values, hence faster growth in the "Grand List", reduced maintenance and energy costs, and a consolidation of redundant services and staff positions.

Mark Stapleton the Chairman of the Board of Education agrees that the idea of "merging the two High Schools is a wise one" and looks forward to beginning the difficult process of studying the reorganizational benefits of the Milford school system.

Video of myself speaking at the podium during the public budget hearing

Milford's Gregg Smith Wants You To Speak Up Tonight

Greg Smith, Chairman of the Board of Aldermen, said "Given the current state of the economy and the problems in Hartford and Washington, you, the citizens of Milford, along with your Aldermen, have got some very difficult decisions to make concerning the services we receive and taxes we all pay for them.

Many Milford families are struggling, having lost a job or at risk of losing a job, and making due with reduced income or no pay raise. Seniors received no cost of living adjustment this year. All of us must work together to find the best solutions for our community. Our Mayor and Board of Finance have labored to find the right balance. Now is your chance to be heard before your Aldermen take up the task of completing the budget.

We will hold a public hearing on the city budget this Thursday, April 8th at 7pm.

Interest groups will be here to voice their opinions, as is their right. I urge all taxpayers to come to your City Hall and be heard on your budget. We will stay as long as it takes to hear you. If you have an opinion on the city budget, your Aldermen hope to see you Thursday night at 7:00pm."

Reprint from www.milfordrepublicans.com

Milford's Citizens Hit With Huge Tax Increase More Foreclosures Expected

Conservatism in government appears to be dead as Milford citizens are hit with a Republican tax increase that outpaces the rate of normal inflation and the more appropriate measure the CPI or Consumer Price Index.

The difference from the normal CPI increase for the entire North East is a 3% gain in goods and services for 2010. The largest increase emerging from transportation costs or a 14% increase in a single area.

The nuances of each category are arbitrary and besides the point. What matters is that the new Property Tax rate represents a 3.5% increase compared to the CPI of 3.0% for our region the NE. Milford is growing its local government at a rate that is apx. 18% above normal, hardly conservative by any measure.

The areas that I found to clearly exemplify reckless spending this year, were excessive legal costs to defend illegal actions by city employees, over payment on office supplies where in some cases the city paid as much as $1,400.00 for two desk chairs. $100,000.00 of thousands wasted on reports that were un-necessary like the KRIT report, and those studies done at Eisenhower Park.

More waste was achieved when the the Tax Collector outsourced its business tax collection paying a commission of over $100,000.00. More waste again in creating new expensive government posts I.E. the Land Use Czar, Blight Czar, etc.. Waste on raises, bonuses, stipends, silly travel expenses etc. etc. etc.

Well sit back and smile and say again to your friends that you do not discuss politics, say that to Mrs. Garcia of 55 Earle St. who committed suicide during the holidays last year. Yes that is right, Mrs. Garcia was a good person, who spent many years in Milford. When the foreclosure notice came, and then the State Marshall, she killed herself!

There must be some kindred spirit, compassion or loyalty for the taxpayers of Milford. There must be some restraint on the part of the greed and avarice of some select city employees who show such unmerciful selfishness.

Those are the city employees who would rather see the less fortunate and protected city employees let go before foregoing their contractual legal right to a wage increase. But none are guiltier than those who knowingly and carelessly "rip off" the city taxpayers.

The time is now upon all of us to take responsibility for the plight of the citizenry in our community. The time is now to question the wrongs of these new excessive tax increases on those who can least afford them.

Today the Milford Mirror has come out as it does every week. Take notice of those homes that were sold for $1.00. That is correct $1.00! That Dollar represents the shattered dreams of about Two or Three families each week. Families who have lost their home to a foreclosure. Who will be their voice and why are they always forgotten?

Some may have deservedly fallen victim to perhaps slovenly laziness, avarice, or some other terrible attribute a person could have. However, there are others who do their best to stay in their homes, work two jobs, sacrifice their time with their family or worse yet cannot find a job. There are some who are widowed, have medical issues, disabilities or may be going through a divorce.

The city offers no empathy, no due regard, no help or anything useful to people who deserve a "hand up" during these "Great Recessionary" times. All the city cares about is getting their stupid "TAX MONEY."

Today I have a message to the wolves who all but guaranteed and accelerated the plight of these victimized individuals. A message that should resonate and rest at their home this evening. A message where I say to them (whoever you are), in your warm dry home. Put down your fork and walk away from that wonderful steak dinner. Open your blinds and look to your most disadvantaged neighbor and see them as many saw Mrs. Garcia. Ask yourself if you honestly believe that you did all you can do so that the next foreclosure suicide does not rest on your conscience.

How does Milford's leaders plan to help those who are not at fault for this tax increase? Tax increases that are part of an ongoing systemic leadership failure that according to departed RTC Member Tom Byrne has resulted in the city taxing its citizens upward from 98M to over 170M this year. A tax increase in a year where the "grand list" by some miracle was able to grow.

Should taxes continue to recklessly rise in the manner they are doing, eventually the city will contend with the Land Lord tenant relationship that once existed during the period of Medieval Feudalism. Property values shall become arbitrary, only second to the very taxes that are forcibly levied upon them. It shall be little more than a citizen reminder of the money due a powerful landlord who really owns the land. Is this where we are headed?

The people have been duped once again by the "big lie" of "Neo-Conservatism." The same kind that got them the raises they need to pay their own property tax increase but you left out to find it on your own.

Peter Spalthoff Advocates "Fiscal Responsibility"

While I am not in favor of many of the cuts that the Aldermen have made on the recently passed “election year budget”, I am very much in agreement with, and applaud, Chairman Blake for his position on reconsidering the use of our favorable bond rating for the work required to be done at Jonathan Law High School. It is public knowledge that the work has to be done, and for Mayor to say that “it is not the right time” I believe he is doing a disservice to Milford. This is the perfect time to take advantage of the positive lending environment that presently exists for Milford and the work should not be put off until after the election.

As Chairman Blake noted, the City has one of the most favorable bond ratings in the State. If that is true, then why not take advantage of it? Why wait until after the elections are over when the costs WILL be greater and the rates WILL undoubtedly be higher than they are today? Using our good bond rating, lower interest rates, and a lower project cost than previously proposed, is a sensible and responsible thing to be doing at this time. This would represent good planning for the future and good management of the City’s resources.

Many are aware that Milford retired some very high interest rate bonds this past year and to replace them with the lower rates that are available now makes good financial sense and epitomizes sound fiscal management. The Mayor’s insistence that bonding would send the “wrong message” could not be any further from the reality of what is needed for our community.

What has sent the wrong message was Mayor Richetelli’s request for a raise in the later part of 2008 knowing all the while he was going to be asking the unions to freeze their pay. Fortunately, the Aldermen rejected his pay raise request.
What has sent the wrong message was Mayor Richetelli’s spending $48,000.00 for a review of the Building Department procedures and practices.
What has sent the wrong message was Mayor Richetelli’s handling of the Cadley property sale.

And certainly, what has sent the wrong message, was Mayor Richetelli’s 3 step “election year budget” proposal that is comprised of: (1) transferring over 2 1/2 million from rainy day and other accounts. What happens next year if the economy is still sluggish and we need to move money again from accounts to balance the budget? (2) Having the unions freeze their pay this year saving the City $850,000.00. What happens next year when we have already guaranteed the unions an increase that will cost us that same $850,000.00, plus a “no lay off guarantee”? And finally, (3) he proposes selling a piece of City property for $225,000.00. Why not hold on to it until the market recovers and the value increases?

These three items will have to be factored back into the budget for next year and will inevitably create a tax increase for everyone.

Although all of our neighbors would appreciate and could use the proposed $150.00 savings in their taxes next year, I think they would appreciate hearing an assurance from the Mayor that next years budget will not swallow this tax saving and much, much more due to his reactionary fiscal policies.

Unfortunately, this situation is a result of poor fiscal management, which Milfordites are subject to every time an election year comes our way. The City’s budget should not be a “play thing” to be used for votes; it should be the backbone of the City and provide for all of us every year. It should not be a test of who can cut more from the budget, the Democrats or the Republicans. We deserve better and should demand more from our elected officials.

Peter L. Spalthoff Independent Party candidate for Mayor