East Hampton Budget: Compared to What?
The process of adopting a local budget for the coming fiscal year took a giant step this week as the East Hampton Board of Education adopted their $26.61 million education budget. The budget process is, as always, an important discussion because it impacts everyone as taxpayers and as consumers of town services. It is a task made more challenging because when people make most decisions about how to spend their money, they compare the potential purchases.
» Read MoreLittle New in Malloy Budget for East Hampton
Governor Dannel P. Malloy unveiled his plan to close the state’s $3.2 billion deficit this week to half-hearted praise and widespread grumbling. The plan relies on $1.5 billion in tax increases, $1 billion in salary concessions from state employees, and $750 million in spending reductions. East Hampton, however, will see little in the way of new revenue from the Malloy budget.
» Read MoreDoes Commuter Rail Have a Future in East Hampton?
The winter weather has wrecked havoc on East Hampton’s commuters over the past several weeks, turning journeys usually measured in minutes into hours-long treks on overcrowded highways. Amid these road hazards, rail is one option that always seems to score a great deal of attention. But would it really work to solve our traffic problems?
» Read MoreEast Hampton Noise Ordinance Poses Pitfalls
Prompted by complaints about the volume of music emanating from Angelico’s Lake House and the potential for future issues with noise, the Town Council has been investigating the issue in search of a solution that placates the affected homeowners near Angelico’s while setting good precedent for the future.
» Read MoreWhat Will Malloy Mean for East Hampton?
For the first time in a generation, Connecticut has a new administration at the helm in Hartford. But what changes will the new Governor bring to the relationship between East Hampton and Hartford? A local sales tax, a statewide property tax, and the prospect of cuts to town aid are all possibilities as the state tries to balance its budget and local government just tries to get by.
» Read MoreJournal Inquirer a Day Late, Dollar Short on Nathan Hale
After the Manchester Board of Education voted to close Nathan Hale Elementary School, in direct contradiction to a promise made by three Democratic Members of the BoE during the 2009 election campaign, Manchester’s local paper of record, the Journal Inquirer, has vociferously advocated for the re-opening of the school. I wrote the JI a Letter to the Editor to remind them that their proposed solutions are exactly the same as the 2009 Republican campaign platform.
» Read MoreNETWORKS
