Yes, several of us went. We spoke out on a number of issues, including charter revision; bifurcation; the BOE budget, the conundrum that taxpayers feel in supporting one element of the budget but not the other; the
MANY personal experiences of the speakers with trying to get information from the Hebron BOE/Administration vs. getting specific data from RHAM Administration within hours; the respect that everyone feels for Bob Siminski and his clarity and transparency in communicating specific data to the public; all but one said they will be voting No on the budget because we don't know what we're voting on (although that one person will be voting NO); much discussion about Kathy Shea's numerous motions at last Thursday's BOE Meeting to hold public discussion on the hot button topics (ADK, the Curriculum Director, etc...) for which she could not even get a second from any other board member -- meaning there was NO discussion on these items;
the fact that the BOE proposed reductions to meet the BOF-mandated 1.5%... AND THEN VOTED IT DOWN UNANIMOUSLY!! So WHAT is the BOE Budget??? Numerous requests for that information have been met with "the Finance Director is on vacation..." WHAT???? Right in the middle of budget season and the Finance Director is out sunning again?? LOTS of concerns expressed over not knowing what we're even voting on for BOE budget as they didn't even approve their own budget!!!; the general health and welfare of the Hebron economy; the doubling of Hebron unemployed in just two years; a request that non-residents NOT be allowed to speak at Public Hearings (it's been learned that at least one, possibly two, people who spoke at the Public Hearing this past Tuesday are not even Hebron residents); the inequity of setting an "across the board increase of 1.5% increase based on operating costs" when the bulk of operating expenses are salaries and the salary increases are not the same among the town employees/Hebron teachers/RHAM teachers, and that this salary differential should have been factored into the equation when deciding who gets how much of our tax dollars; a request that if the budget goes down, the GG, CIP and Open Space budgets NOT be cut, especially CIP (which was flat-funded this year) and Open Space which was reduced by 28%; the exit poll... the list goes on and on.
On the positive side (there really were no "negative sides" at all tonight), the public comments were given with respect (no one yelling and screaming, although I did almost get emotional at one point because i learned today that one of my best friends is being foreclosed... and I didn't know... and the person never told me; discovered by accident online), and the public comments were received with respect by the Selectmen. The three members in attendance, Dan, Gayle and Brian, stated that they ARE listening to the public. They kept their eyes focused on the speakers, listened carefully, and thanked each speaker.
What a refreshing environment! They actually even answered some of the general questions that were brought up at various times! What a difference: a meeting controlled by Roberts Rules of Order, yet flexible enough so that the public can dialogue with the BOS members, as appropriate.
And that brings up the exit poll. The public was not given a copy and I was in such shock I didn't have the where-with-all to take notes. The exit poll is
RIGHT ON TARGET!!! Someone else there will post the exact language later or tomorrow, but in essence, each voter will be given a one page piece of paper asking: How did you vote? (Yes or No)... do you think General Government budget Too High/Acceptable/Too Low?... do you think CIP budget Too High/Acceptable/Too Low?...do you think Hebron Board of Education budget Too High/Acceptable/Too Low?... do you think RHAM Board of Education Budget Too High/Acceptable/Too Low?... Do you support All Day Kindergarten in FY 2010-11? Yes or No...There was another one, and again, I was in such shock at the inclusiveness of the poll on the very issues that are relevant today, and maybe I remember this wrong, but I think it was Do you support separating the Hebron Town Budget from the Hebron Board of Education Budget? Yes or No. The exit poll was accepted unanimously, and will be posted on the
www.HebronCT.com website tomorrow or as soon as possible for all to view.
The room applauded over the exit poll!!! You had to have been there!
When it came time to approve the Agenda for the next BOS meeting on Thursday, May 6, two days after the referendum, the board graciously allowed comment from the audience, and a resident asked again, specifically and respectfully, that the creation of a new Charter Revision Committee be included on the May 6th agenda so that the new commission can get their work done, and present any new proposed charter revision items -- such as bifurcation of the town and BOE budgets -- to put to resident vote on the November ballot, when there is sure to be a heavy turnout. The board agreed.
This is the RIGHT way to do it... not some referendum that no one knows about, but one in which the majority of Hebron residents will be voting and can voice their opinion about charter changes, such as bifurcation.
Prior to the meeting, there was a public reception to welcome new town manager, Bonnie Therrien. She is an impressive person to meet -- LOTS of experience, especially in economic development and grant writing -- and we all left with a feeling that Hebron will be in good hands with Bonnie at the helm.
On that note, and I add this as a personal opinion, I want to thank the management team -- Andy Tierney, Donna Lanza, and Mike O'Leary -- for their hard work over the past year. They walked into a snakepit, and yet things got done efficiently and in a very cost effective manner. Whether people know it or not, they responded to calls and emails that came in at all hours of the day (and night). I applaud their efforts, and I personally thank them for all they did to keep the town running smoothly while the Selectmen spent time choosing the RIGHT town manager this time... Sometimes, doing it right takes a little longer, and the management team gave the Selectmen that ability to make the best decision for Hebron for the long haul. Just my opinion.
