Residents Protest Youth, Senior Cuts In New London Budget Proposal

Several residents protested a proposal to cut funds from the Recreation Department and its associated programs at Monday’s City Council meeting, saying they provide vital services to New London residents.

Under Mayor Daryl Finizio’s budget proposal for the 2014 fiscal year, the Recreation Department would be reduced by 50 percent. The remaining budget would amount to $224,000, with a focus on acquiring grants and other sources of funding to support the programs. The budget also eliminates the coordinator of youth grants and services position, an expenditure of about $63,000, and seeks to reduce maintenance costs by defunding the Senior Center for the fiscal year.

Public input Mayra Gonzalez-Cruz, who said she currently worked with NLYA coordinator Ellen Kleckner, said the department has expanded to include programs such as alcohol and tobacco intervention efforts, parent leadership training, and Youth In Action. Gonzalez-Cruz argued that the city pays $16,000 of Kleckner’s salary and that she brings in about $500,000 in grants each year, but that it would be difficult to have that funding come from such grants.

“The reality is grant monies for salaries are difficult to get, particularly for a permanent position such as hers,” said Gonzalez-Cruz.

Jordaniel Gonzalez, a member of the NLYA program Teens in Action, spoke to councilors as several fellow members held signs in support of the department. Gonzalez said the programs offer support that some youth do not receive at home.

“What this program shows me is love and support,” he said. “Teens in Action is like my second family.”

Karen Paul, in advocating for the Senior Center, asked the councilors to visit the location to see its programs in action.

“Let us work with you,” Paul said. “If we have to move, help us find a place to go. We’ll work with you. We’ve got some ideas.”

Cheryl Lawrence said she thought New London’s budgets have been too top-heavy in supporting administrative positions rather than public services. She also spoke in support of funding the Senior Center and its programs.

“I would hate to lose it, or even part of it, because that’s something some people only have,” said Lawrence.

Councilor reaction

Two councilors, John Maynard and Anthony Nolan, said they would not support a budget if it contained cuts to the Recreation Department such as those proposed by Finizio.

“I just find it repulsive that we have to have our children and our seniors come in and beg for such little money,” said Maynard.

“I will not be voting for that part of the budget if it means we will be losing those two entities as stated,” said Nolan.

Councilor Adam Sprecace said the 2014 budget process is in its early stages and that he was hopeful the Council would be able to find funds to defray such costs.

“We will be approaching the budget holistically, trying to find the money we need to support everybody,” he said.

Both Sprecace and Council President Michael Passero said councilors will have to consider the impact on other city departments as they work on the budget. Department heads have said potential impacts under Finizio’s proposal include 20 layoffs in the New London Police Department and a reduction in the hours and programs at Public Library of New London.

Finizio’s $81,016,213 budget proposal includes a 2.5 percent increase for the New London Public Schools to $40,814,666 and a 2.6 percent decrease to the municipal budget to $40,201,547. The mill rate, or tax per $1,000 of assessed value, would increase 3.09 percent from 26.2 to 27.42.

The budget includes major reductions to several departments, including a $1.4 million cut from the police department and $500,000 cuts to both the Department of Public Works and New London Fire Department. Funding for the Recreation Department and library would each be reduced by 50 percent.

LOT request

The organization Looking Out for Taxpayers, also known as Lower Our Taxes, asked the Council to refuse acceptance of Finzio’s proposal. Dr. David Hayes said that at its meeting last Wednesday, the group voted 11-1 to urge the Council to “reject the mayor’s 2014 budget and return it to him forthwith to be redone because the proposed budget is categorically unacceptable.”

“I think this will send a message to the mayor, and hopefully to some other people, that some things should not happen to New London,” said Hayes.

Councilors said they would not be supportive of such action. Sprecace said he considered that Finizio’s budget leaves the difficult budget decisions to the Council. However, he said he did not consider that there are any provisions in the City Charter to allow the Council to refuse the mayor’s budget and that such an action would cause unnecessary delays in the budget process.

Passero said the Council will have to take into account revenue shortfalls from the state and other sources in creating the 2014 budget and that a reduction of the size of the local government will be necessary. However, he said it will be up to the Council to determine where any cuts will be made.

“Some of the proposals I think we’re as skeptical of as you are,” he said.
Council President Pro Tempore Wade Hyslop said LOT seemed to be contradicting itself in advocating for both lowered taxes and a preservation of services.
"It seems to me that they're standing in a position to support raising taxes," said Hyslop.

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