Town Republicans collected 285 signatures on a petition asking for an alternative to the planned roof replacement project at Great Oak Middle School.
Voters will be asked May 18 to approve $1.8 million to replace the 20-year-old asphalt roof with a metal roof.
In addition, solar panels will be installed. Click here for information from the town on the project.
Click here for earlier stories.
The solar panel/metal roof project has the support of First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers. At a recent town meeting, residents in attendance voted to send it to referendum.
However, the roof project has been subjected to political bickering between Democrats and Republicans.
The Republican-controlled Board of Finance rejected the project, saying they wanted an alternative other than solar panels and a metal roof.
The Democratically-controlled Board of Selectmen, however, ignored the Finance Board’s vote. The project, the First Selectwoman pointed out, was researched by a bi-partisan committee and has been in the planning stages for years.
On April 21, the Board of Selectmen received a petition asking that voters be given a choice — replace the roof with asphalt, or replace it with metal and add solar panels.
Eighteen Republican officials from the Board of Finance, the Board of Education, the Republican Town Committee — along with members of “Keep Oxford Green” — submitted the petition, saying the project is too expensive.
“Yes or no” should not be the taxpayers’ only choice, said Tom Kelly, vice-chairman of the finance board. He said replacing the roof with asphalt would cost $400,000.
“The (school roof) committee chose not to make a recommendation for different kinds of roofs, they wanted to decide what was best for the people,” Kelly said.
Bob DeBisshop, chairman of the school’s roof committee, said April 15 that the benefits of the solar panel/metal roof project the far outweigh replacing the roof with asphalt.
The roof is asphalt now — and has been costly to maintain, DeBisshop said.
DeBisshop said the metal roof and solar panels for the middle school could present annual energy cost savings up to eight percent.
The $1.8 million price tag for the project would be offset by state grants and other reimbursements, decreasing the cost to taxpayers.
Lila Ferrillo, Board of Finance chairwoman, said if the project fails at referendum without any options, there will be no new roof for the school.
“Let the residents decide what they want,” she said.
Rose McKinnon, chairwoman of the Board of Education, said there are several other capital projects to consider for the school district.
“This is an investment and Oxford citizens should have a choice to do what is in the best interest for the town,” she said.
Selectman Dave McKane, a Democrat, questioned Kelly’s $400,000 estimate.
McKane said because the town currently has no bids or specifications for the asphalt roof, no one knows how much it could cost.
“If the petition moves forward, it sets a bad precedent for the town and presents a potential lawsuit,” he said.
Town Attorney Fran Teodosio said according to the town charter, the Board of Selectmen has 21 days upon receipt of the petition do decide to accept or deny the petition.
Drayton-Rogers called the petition “groundbreaking” and said she would like to take time to review it and fully understand its ramifications.
The Selectmen will discuss the petition again May 5.
Again MadR will ask the lawyer to change the charter in her favor. When will she be honorable and except the charter as written how many more times will they try to change the charter with attorney opinion? Another power grab in progress!
eyes open…what a pathetic post and such a short-sighted vision of our town. The Charter are the rules by which we operate and any changes to it affect all administrations, today’s and future, so changes are not taken lightly nor are they done for political reasons.
You also have no idea what you are talking about because lawyers cannot change the Charter. A Charter Revision Committee, by State Statute, has certain rules and timetables that need to be met to suggest changes to the Charter. The changes must be accepted by the Selectmen and then they must be voted on by the residents. Once all of that is done, the Charter is changed. This is not a month long process, but a process that does and will take in excess of a year to accomplish.
The only dishonorable person is you and your pathetic attempt to make excuses.
I just wish the politically polarized morons of the town would would stop misrepresenting numbers and show all the facts when trying to sway the voters either way. I’m not even sure where this $400,000 estimate came from, but the $1.8M does not show state rebates and fed grants. I’m sick to death of this party line bickering. At this point I’m not really sure what kind of job the current administration can do because at every turn they are met with idiotic arguments from the previous republican admin. I am embarrassed to say I’m a republican in this town because of the shear stupidity spewing from the organization.
Crazy is upset because someone is shinning a light on Madr’s use a certain attorney to view the charter in her favor with far reaching bias opinions. They will affect the way the charter is read for years to come.
Oxres please get involved come to the meetings voice your opinion there. If you have something to add to the discussion you will be heard don’t complain here do at town hall.
I’ve been to the town meetings spoken my mind and left frustrated and disgusted with the whole process. When a committee is assigned a task, they return there recommendation and that work is challenged because it doesn’t fit with someones personal agenda. The process breaks down. The previous post was out of that frustration, so from now on I’ll just keep my mouth shut and let idiocracy run it’s course.
Get involved? Certain leaders on these boards do not want anyone speaking against their views and do all in their power to limit or eliminate opinions. They make decisions in seclusion and at the last minute with no outside input but their own so there can’t be an honest discussion related to very important issues.
Oxres and Golfer don’t give up the town meeting is the near the last step in the process. Attending the selectmen’s meetings,zoning meetings and any other meeting at town hall is where it all matters. go to the towns website and pick one that interests you.Madr does a lot of special sessions because she wants to slip things by without discussion and it’s up to us not to let any administration get away with that.
Try this link and read all about it go to Oxford’s home page and explore for your selves.
http://www.oxford-ct.gov/index.html
got to the government page then meeting minutes and agendas. Don’t give up.
I have a question. Mr. Burke commented about speaking with the contractors who told him the cost would be around 210,000 to 230,000. Is there anything in writing? Why did anyone wait until the end of the committee work to bring this forward? Did Mr. Burke or any of the people involved with this petition, go to any meetings and ask about this or did they wait until everything was done? If anyone has a written proposal, I would love for someone to sent it to this site and ask that Mr. Driscoll consider posting it.
My guess there is nothing in writing and all of this is verbal.
I can relate to Oxres. Try going to a BOE meeting if you want to get frustrated about Oxford politics.
the only choice that the selectmen gave the towns people was a metal roof or nothing when they sent it to town meeting for a vote.
they felt they had that power from the opinion of the town attorney. Selectman McKane made that clear. A metal roof or nothing would be the outcome of that vote.
The finance board felt that was no choice at all and a petitions were circulated from the finance board to give the towns people a choice of roofing materials and to have the matter sent to a referendum.
A second petition was also circulated by another group that just wanted to send the question to referendum for a yes or no vote with no choice of roofing material.
MaKane and Madr both helped circulate that one
Ask them about it or go to the town clerk they both should be on file there and are public record.
Also Mr. Burke is an elected official that volunteers his time to the town it’s their job to know the costs and to watch out how our taxes are spent.
eyes open…using your logic:
– why wouldn’t the High School have had two designs and two costs at the referendum?
– why doesn’t our town budget vote have two choices (as presented with all the requested services and one as presented by the BOF)?
– why weren’t there two Radio Communication systems and prices offered?
Your logic only makes sense to you and the RTC when you want to turn this into a political football game.
So tell us, other then the too high/too low “advisory” questions a couple of years ago, what other time did a question that was going to referendum have a choice of either A or B?
Eyes open,
Sorry but your posts dont answer my questions.. Where are the written quotes and why the delay.. I understand people circulated petitions but where is the evidence to support the allegation that the roof can be fixed for the amount quoted by Mr. Burke at the Town meeting?
I have seen and heard Mr. Burke speak in the past, but I would prefer the documentation. Eyes you seem to be against following the recommendations of the committee? Why??
I believe at the meeting he said he spoke to contractors that had looked at the roof in the past to confirm his numbers but you can talk to him yourself and he will answer any questions you have. The finance officials are not unapproachable. I do not believe he would have said it if he could not back it up. That roof is very expensive and the solar panel will only save us $8,500.00 off a $200,000.00 electric bill big deal! that’s only 4% of the whole bill.not worth the money.
And Crazy you don’t make sense. A building as designed costs this amount of money.
if two systems are offered that do the same thing but one was so to speak an off brand why not.
third the elected official determine what is needed or may be missing from presented budgets that may have been overlooked. As proof reading before publication.
but then again if you think any one would vote for a wish list you are crazy.
eyes open… you are correct in your assessments. We cannot allow one lawyer to determine how the town runs. It is an outrage that everybody knows is wrong. It is bad for repubs and dems as administrations will inevitably change. We need a balance of powers and one ‘supreme court of Oxford justice’ should not be the be all end all.
Eyes…actually, you do not know what you are talking about. First of all, you could not point to a time when a referendum had a choice as crazy asked, so you chose to ignore this point because you know you are wrong.
Secondly, the metal roof and solar panel will cost approx. $767k after state funds are used and you compare that to the $582k for the shingle roof, which is the root of the problem, and it is easy for an educated person to understand a good investment. The metal roof will solve the problem, while the shingles are only a band-aid.
Third, a shingle roof does not lower the electrical demand of the school, but the use of the solar panels does and that equates to an annual savings of close to $10,000 in today’s money. As the price of electricity increase, the savings increase as well, so it’s a good investment. Since the solar panels only add $80,000 to the cost of the metal roof (after energy funds are used), the solar panels will pay for themselves in 10 or less years. Once they have paid for themselves, the school then realizes all of the electrical savings.
This is elementary and easy to understand. What is it that you don’t get?
Eyes open.. you seem to know Mr. Burke very well.. While I could contact him, I would have thought that this information should have been made available before the petition was even started. How is this going to work? two seperate referendums costing the town 7500 each? I am wondering if this spending could have been stopped by, get this new concept… working together for the best interest of all community members.. not your political party?? Again, I will ask that someone get the quotes and post them. I wonder if the problem is that there is nothing to post other than Mr. Burke’s comments.. I did review the minutes and the Ed Spec and can not understand why anyone waited 16 months before they brought forth written information..16 months of meetings and we wait until it goes to vote that a challenge is made.. Something seems very wrong and I hate to say it politically motivated.
….and while both sided fight this out the roof is still leaking. The only person who has attempted to see both sides and do what is right is Dave Yish. We can all learn alot from him.
joeh…the only fight is from the Republicans who don’t want a succesful project that took a year to research to move forward. At the last minute, they start complaining, and try to confuse people like they did with Affordable Housing.
David Yish, who said he was for the Solar Panels and Metal Roof, is now backtracking because the RTC dug their fangs into a good guy, who is now being corrupted by the likes of Kelly, Burke, Farrell, McKinnon, and the rest of the RTC.
It really is too bad because I thought Dave was going to change the face of Republicans in town and stop the confusing rhetoric they put forth, but lately he has been acting just like “one of the guys”.
What is right is to listen to the Committee that studied this issue for over a year and then move forward with their recommendations, but the BOF acting like the bullies they are, decided a years worth of work could be undone in a few short weeks by the likes of Burke and Farrell, who were in Town Hall pouring over the minutes of the Roof Committee to look for things they could argue against.
At the Town Meeting, both brought up their “points” and time after time, the outside experts in the room easily explained the benefits of the Metal Roof and Solar Panels, while at the same time, disproving alot of what these two said.
People who are against the Metal Roof and Solar Panels are listening to a bunch of joksters that have no clue what they are talking about. There is no “win” in this for the Committee. This bi-partisan group brought forward the best option for the residents of Oxford and Republicans choose to ignore it for their own self/party-gain.
I write this as a person who votes Republican 95% of the time but the group that controls the party in Oxford is completely out of touch. The roof committee did provide a cost estimate from the project experts for an asphalt roof and it was in $900,000 range. While less expensive than metal, the committee determined over the long-term metal was more cost effective. You can agree or disagree, that is why there is a referendum. Instead the BOF wants taxpayer to increase their legal fund to turn this into a total mess and, as already stated, the Great Oak roof still leaks. Wonder why nothing gets done in Oxford! The BOE could also care less about Great Oak. They cut the Asst Principal position- why? To save money? Then why did they require the superintendent and business manager to leave the finance committee meeting on March 16th in order to make the cut? If they needed to reduce expenses, and who doesn’t, don’t you think they would have worked WITH the superintendent to achieve the goal, or does the chairman believe she knows more about education? Oxford has always had a colorful political history but it’s out of control and is now hurting us. We have real issues and need real adults to sit down and make practical decisions for the benefit of the Town’s. Hopefully Mr. Yish can be one of those adults.
I am sorry but I cannot help but comment. I have consistently supported the GOMS metal roof and solar panel project. My support of this is a matter of public record and has been unwavering-period.
What I have objected to has been the methods used to get this issue to referendum which are unprecedented even by our Town Attorneys own admission. The action taken by the BOS over my negative vote has never been made before and will have long lasting ramifications. I implored my fellow selectman to take this to referendum via petition but instead the vote was to go straight to Town Meeting and referendum over the objections of the BOF. Curiously within 8 days, there are not one but three petitions before us. The BOS vote was totally unnecessary and subjected the town to legal action. That is why I stated that night that had truly wished we were there to talk about a roof but sadly it was really an unnecessary struggle between our First Selectman and the BOF.
Going forward we have multiple petitions from many interested citizens. How can we ignore any petition right now simply because we prefer one over the other? All those who put their name down deserve to have their voice heard.
I have been incredibly restrained during the whole process but I have no patience for the roof going undone another year. I have tried to work with everyone; BOS, BOE, BOF, and the Great Oak Roof and Solar Panel Committee to bring this to a conclusion, We all want a roof but everyone is totally entrenched-totally. Maybe it is best that it all goes before the town for a vote because the boards above including mine, are unable to work it out.
Respectfully submitted
David,
Your response and reasoning is completely understandable, but your party and fellow Republican BOF and BOE members are the ones who turned this into a political football. They are even the ones who circulated the petitions and many people sign based on unproven information these same people put forth.
What we have NOT heard you say publicly is what you said here. If you are truly for the Metal Roof and Solar Panels, then say so with a strong voice and clear message. Tell Oxford that eventhough you understand others may want a shingle roof, that you support the Solar Panel project. Do that via a Letter to the Editor and at the next BOS meeting and maybe you can get your parties right wingers to stop their confusing tactics once again.
I do not care to enter into an online debate over the issue except to say that whoever has not heard me state my position publicly must have missed my letter to the editor in another publication and all of the Board of Selectman meetings since February when I voted in favor of this.
All are welcome to Town Hall to hear the tapes.
Lastly, I am available to discuss the issue with any resident. Please contact the Town Hall and I would be pleased to address this or any other issue.
Dave…you may be for it, but the rest of your Republican BOF, BOE, and RTC counterparts are against it. Why? This shows ALL of Oxford that no matter what you say, there us a Political agenda from Republicans against MaryAnn. Instead of caring about Oxford, your Republican counterparts are once again in it for themselves and the Party!
I will say it again this mess was caused by Madr attempting another power grab by using the attorney to twist the charter and took away the vote of the BOF.
Everyone agrees we need a roof.
She will try again on the 5th to throw out the other petitions. Crazy, I mean McKane will be right next to her agreeing with every word both are blind to the harm that will be done to the charter and to Oxford for years to come.
eyes open – Macchio – …how come you have still not answered the questions posed to you?
I know you are new to town, but don’t you realize that no referendum has EVER gone forward with a choice of one or the other?
I suggest you try to learn some facts about our town and its history before you spew any more Republican garbage in public.
eyes- the mess was started by the BOF making a decision based on unsupported personal information, like the asphalt roof costs $400,000 when there has been no evidence presented. BOF should have based it’s recommendation the Roof Committee’s report only and if they felt they were wrong, table for clarification. BOS haven’t had their finest day here either but they were put in the box by BOF playing god.
BOF made a mistake when they did not table the matter and asked for estimates on asphalt roofs. the day after they approached MadR in order to give the taxpayers a choice.
BOF is bound by charter to watch how our money is spent. they were blind sided by the administration with a underhanded move to interpret in Madr favor.
A board Elected by thousands undermined by a vote of two.
Power grab.
eyes …when are you going to get the courage to answer our question? When was the last time a referendum question had a choice of two different solutions?
If you cannot answer, then maybe you’ll see you are in the wrong and that the BOF (Republicans) are the problem here, including yourself and the rest of the Republican BOE members.
eyes open – nice job taking on crazy.. Burke and Yish both have great points for each side of this debate and have done great research. I just don’t understand why we can’t have two choices. Seems to me the republicans are not playing politics but have differing viewpoints. On the other hand you need to question the Democrats and why nobody from that party disagrees with their leader – sounds like politics to me
Eyes,
I’m sorry but I have to ask where you are coming from with your last comment. The committee meet for at least a year, articles were in the paper about the roof project. We know that this project is supported by all THREE selectman. So I dont understand the behavior of the BOF. Yes, I understand that they feel they have control of everything in town but when they are handling things based upon politics rather than what it right for the town then others need to speak up.
Mr. Yish I would like to Thank you for voting to move this project ahead. While I understand that you are unhappy with the movement to referendum in the way it occurred, I would hope that you would still work for what the voters elected you to do..what is right for the town..
StoptheLies,
Eyes did nothing to take on anyone here except ignore the fact that the BOF ignored the findings of a bi-partisan committee that worked for more then a year of coming up with a solution to the Great Oak Roof problem.
Since you want to speak for Eyes and he refuses to cite an example, maybe you can do it for him.
– Name a time when a referendum question was ever put forth with two choices?
Mr. yish does support a metal roof but did not vote to send the matter to public meeting. He had concerns on how the selectmen board gained control of the issue. the opinion of the town attorney gave Madr the issue to send it onto town meeting against the vote of the BOF.
With a vote of 2 for and one against it moved forward.
Had it not been for that power grab the issue would still be with the BOF and asphalt roofing quotes would have been obtained. The BOF would have made the proper recommendation for town meeting as it should have been.
Would you still be objecting if they sent out a recommendation with two choices?
The roof whatever material would have been installed this summer.
What will the opinion be Wednesday on the other petitions will it be to disenfranchise 285 Oxford citizens that want a choice?
85 more than the charter requires but you don’t care about that small detail.
Madr and McKane both know they are the main reason for this mess not the BOF not the roofing committee because it no longer is about the roof it’s about the biased opinions they are relying on to advance their agenda.
Is that all they can accomplish, controversy?
eyes…Again, you have chosen to ignore the question:
– name a time when a referendum question was ever put forth with two choices?
As far as disenfranchising residents, let’s look at this same BOF, but under Augie Palmer as First Selectman. A group of residents, Hines, Olbrys, Weisgable, and others circulated a petition for an additional $3.5 million for the High School ball fields. The petition gathered almost 300 signatures and was certified by the Town Clerk to move to referendum. The BOF then demanded a meeting in which these residents showed why the money was needed, what it was to be used for, and how it was going to affect taxes. At the end of the meeting, your same BOF led by Kelly, Burke, and Ferillo, said they would not forward the question to referendum. Almost 300 residents were disenfranchised by the Republican BOF and BOS.
Not to get off point but the “Ball Fields” at OHS are in terrible shape and are an embarrassment the town. There is no spectator seating at the new west side fields and they can’t be used for three days after a rain. They will also be ruined in a year from over use by football and soccer practices and games. The softball and baseball fields are now almost ruined due to lack of water, all the money spent on sod for the baseball field down the drain. Thanks for reminding me about that brilliant move.
who cares is there a law against it? give me a good reason why it can’t be done.
It was mentioned earlier about the school budget Too low or Too high except now it’s
the most expensive roof or the least expensive roof. as I said before it’s not about the roof.
just think the money saved from the roof may help pay for repairs to those fields.
when I was a kid we had vacant lots with truck tires as bases you were lucky if slid into home base and didn’t have your knees torn apart from the broken glass.
boo hoo soggy fields.
It can’t be done because the question, as presented at the Town Meeting, was already approved to move to referendum via a certified petition.
The other petition submitted at that same meeting was ruled invalid and not certified by the Town Clerk earlier in the day because whoever wrote the petition, had no clue what they were doing, so it was not considered the night of the Town Meeting.
The second certified petition came AFTER the question had already been moved to referendum, so no modification to that referendum could be accepted.
That is the problem, what do you now do if the BOS sets a date for a referendum for the second question, eventhough the 1st referendum question has passed, and the second passes as well?
The fault lies with the circulators of the first petition. Had they written a proper question, like their second one which was accepted and certified, the night of the Town Meeting, both petitions would have been considered and possibly both would be on the ballot.
P.S. It is about the roof because that is what was argued that night by the likes of Burke, Neary, Farrell, and Stocker, and that is what the petition is about as well, a less expensive roof alternative. What you are attempting to now do is change the argument since so many people are for the Metal Roof and Solar Panels.
read my earlier posts I have not changed my position it’s still a power grab. by taking it out of the BOF through an opinion is not the way to go.
the town meeting you are talking about was only allowed because of an subjective ruling by the town council. Should have never happened. The selectmen then did not even consider the second petition. False premises decided this vote.
Eyes- I’m sure your high school team’s played in a vacant field with broken glass. I guess you don’t care about ruining the significant investment the town has made at the high school.
I agree with lies and eyes.. BOF needs to have a say – otherwise no need for a BOF. This is a clear abuse of power. do we need a roof at GOMS – yes but let’s do it the right way. Why are so many people afraid of giving both options to the public? If the metal/solar solution is best than it will be voted for.
I am not seeing my posts? Please advise.
well said do whats right
Golfer some school districts spent money on the important things like teachers, books, and classroom supplies ect.. They did not have the funds for games, you’ll find that out when the affordable housing projects are completed in town.this is going to be a big issue in the future so get ready.
And guess why Affordable Housing is coming…STATE LAW. That’s right, 10% of housing needs to be Affordable and Oxford only has 1%. Instead of having stronger regulations in place like Mary Ann wants, Dave Haversat wanted to fight everything in court and look where that got us, we LOST the case.
So, while Haversat and Palmer were in office, instead of fighting in court and eventually losing, they could have been enacting tougher regulations instead of ignoring them.
Now, Mary Ann is left to try to cleanup the mess left by Haversat and Palmer. That is why Dave didn’t win the election, because he was damaged goods and couldn’t be trusted.
The election has been over for 6 months and left winger OR is still complaining. MAD-R has split the town in half, that is why she barely won. She wanted affordable housing. She has done nothing for regulations. The left wing democrats have plenty to worry about.
Obama is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes! The majority of the people of our nation are fed up with the failed policies of the Obama administration. Liberals tax, borrow and spend. Liberals won’t bring themselves to protect America. Liberals want to take over the economy.Liberals think they know what is best for everyone. Liberals aren’t happy till they are running your life.