Residents Ask Vavrek Not to Cut Funds for Schools, the Library

Every resident choosing to speak during the public input portion of the first selectman's joint budget meeting at Masuk High School Wednesday night asked him not to cut funding for the town's schools — and several not only asked that Edith Wheeler Memorial Library's funding be spared the budget knife, but that money from past cuts be restored.

Those who thought the first budget proposal was too high and should face significant cuts chose not to speak that evening.

The meeting, which was televised live on Channel 17, is required by the town charter when a budget referendum is defeated as the $80.5 million proposal was on April 2. First Selectman Steve Vavrek, Supt. of Schools James Agostine and members of the Town Council and boards of finance and education spoke before opening the forum to the public.

Vavrek will consider all of the input before deciding how to revise the budget for a second referendum on April 23.

Fran Welch, a parent, said the referendum defeat on April 2 wasn't as bad as it looked.

"Three-hundred-forty votes is not a lot," she said. "It's 170 to turn it to the yes side. I am so happy to hear all of our officials support this budget. Our elected officials say there is no room [to cut]. This is a tight budget. This is a good budget."

Welch encouraged budget supporters to put vote yes signs on their lawns.

Steve Schapiro, a former youth coach in town, suggested giving leaders of town bands, clubs and sports teams the day off on April 23, so they can shake parents' hands at the polls and say, "Thank you."

"It's just a suggestion," he said.

When looking for places to cut, Schapiro said he has seen line items on the townside of the budget where the funds are not completely spent, yet department heads request the same level of funding year-after-year and even request more money on top of it. He asked town leaders to review the budget line item by line item, adding the town pensions and insurance accounts — which have substantial increases from the actual costs in 2011-12 — would be a good start.

Support for the Library

Bill Ehlers, who is chairman of the Library Board, said comparable towns to Monroe, on average, use 1.89% of the budget to fund the library, while Monroe provides less than half of that amount to Edith Wheeler Memorial Library.

"And it's being cut again," he said.

There was a discussion between the Library Board and the Board of Finance over how the Edith Wheeler Memorial Trust funds are to be used, and Ehlers said he wished the finance board approved the library's budget proposal before continuing to hold meetings on the trust.

Several who spoke talked about the importance of municipal services and a good school system, and Ehlers reminded everyone that other things, like the parks and the library, are also important.

Kay Inderdohnen has lived in Monroe for 51 years, had served as the town clerk, and has been a part-time library employee for 13 years.

"I have had the privilege of seeing children grow into adulthood with a love of reading and learning, and a genuine affection for the library experience," she said. "And we also see older generations sharing that joy, parents and grandparents, in a place they are proud of.

"Unfortunately, the library can't run on affection," Inderdohnen said. "It needs funds adequate to serve the people of Monroe — All the people actually, from birth to death — with books and materials of course, but also as a learning center, a cultural center with enrichment, a problem solving center and more."

Inderdohnen closed saying, "The cuts to the library budget will prove disabling. As a resident of Monroe and a library patron, I'm urging that the funds requested be restored. They are crucial to the operation of this remarkable facility."

Patricia Shea, a former teacher in town, noted how Vavrek has expressed support for the Board of Education budget and asked him not to cut that and also not to cut the library's funding.

"I encourage you not to cut the budget or cut it a minimal amount," Shea told Vavrek. "Do you have the courage to do that?"

Jim Laguardia asked the first selectman to put funds for raises for the library's part-time employees back in. The raises were cut by the Board of Finance.

He also asked Vavrek not to cut education, telling the story of a bucket in the Stepney Elementary School cafeteria being used to catch drips from a leaky roof. Laguardia said it is right next to the table where children with peanut allergies sit.