Note: Mayor Mark Lauretti distributed the following statement on a road referendum heading to voters in November:
On Tuesday, November 2nd the citizens of Shelton will be asked to approve a $4 million referendum question designed to upgrade roads throughout the City.
Allow me to share my thoughts on the importance of this Road Referendum. Over the years you have approved Road Referendums and the Board of Aldermen has annually appropriated money for road repairs and equipment purchases but the more than two hundred (200) miles of Shelton roads (many of which were constructed in the 40’s through 70’s) need ongoing maintenance and in some cases reconstruction.
To request the spending of this amount of money during such trying economic times was not an easy decision. We had to weigh our needs and the impact that this expenditure will have on your taxes and our conclusion was that if the money is spent over the coming years, there should be no impact on the mill rate. These expenditures will coincide with the reduction of current debt payments thereby having no effect on the tax rate. The Board of Aldermen unanimously supported the passage of this question.
Fortunately, the major infrastructure needs of our education system are nearing conclusion and we can now turn our priorities to the roads. You will recall that we have completed expansion improvements to our Elementary Schools and our High School. We have invested capital in school technology, have addressed various school roofs, chillers, boilers and have just completed the 5 – 6 School building to like new condition and built an Intermediate School.
Logically, road improvements are next in line. We expect to address this in a number of ways utilizing newly purchased road maintenance equipment and a well-trained in-house staff to perform as much of the work as possible.
During 2010 the Board of Aldermen has approved $119,000 to purchase a new road milling machine. They also have appropriated $500,000 for road work. These expenditures will allow us to continue our road work until the end of the season this year.
Approval of the November 2nd Bond Referendum question will result in road resurfacing, rebuilding, repair and armor coating that will be done over the coming years. Roads throughout all parts of the City will be prioritized with the most used roads receiving first attention but all roads in need of attention will be addressed.
I think you know by now that I have never been one to unnecessarily spend your money. I urge your support of the November ballot referendum and approval of the $4 million investment in our great City.
Please contact me with any questions you may have.
Mark A. Lauretti
Mayor, City of Shelton
