Logo for: Rotary Old Saybrook

OS Rotary Meeting 4/20/16

Pledge: President Kathy Callinan
Prayer: Pres-Elect Gerri Lewis
Song: Sam Fulginiti
Brents Card Game Winner: Ken Roche

Sergeants Report: Rick Beck
Raffle Winners: Mark Caldarella, Ed Pinn, Kathy Callinan
Happy Bucks: Bill was happy for Brents poker lesson, Marty was happy Jan is still our superintendant after learning of the governors budget cuts, Carl for being here to give the state of the town which is mostly good, Ken for winning the card game and for his son being here, Brian Roche was happy to be here, Charlie Renshaw for doing Meals on Wheels with Brent, Jan for the great weather, bucks for our guests, Rick was happy to attend the district conference

Meals on Wheels: Pete & Brent, next week Brent & Charlie, Carl Fortuna will take it the following week

Program: Gerri introduced our speaker Carl Fortuna


Carl is an attorney a law degree from Fordham. He is serving his third term as Old Saybrook First Selectman. As we all know, Connecticut is in a difficult time in terms of its budget with tax revenue down and having to lower costs to stem the deficit which is enormous. This means that for many towns including Old Saybrook, the state's cost sharing has been either cut or eliminated. Old Saybrook stands to lose about $700K while some towns will keep their cost sharing money or get increases. We find ourselves in this situation because 15 years ago when times were good and Fairfield County contributed mightily to the tax receipts, the state provided generous pay and pension plans to its workforce. Its all coming down as a combination of lower tax revenue and higher cost. Businesses are moving out of the state as well. Speaker Sharkey, a democrat is feuding with Gov. Malloy over the budget which doesn't bode well for compromise. Other towns will take a hit. Many towns are much worse off than Old Saybrook because they are dependent on state municipal sharing. Lyme-Old Lyme, Westbrook, Essex, Madison, Clinton, like Old Saybrook are having their shares cut to zero.

The Old Saybrook budget is $47M. Carl is working on a plan to get off state aid which is 1.1M. Of the $2B in state educational assistance, $50M is being cut. Unfunded mandates will still be necessary. Our grand list is flat but Carl sees an increase next year. The bowling alley was just purchased and the Boaters World building has had some interest.  The new affordable housing complex (186 units) will attract commuters and increase the density of the town population which is a good thing. The Old Saybrook mill rate is among the lowest in the state. We will weather the storm!

Five Way Test of the things we think, say, or do
    1) Is it the truth?
    2) Is it fair to all concerned?
    3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
    4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
    5) Is it fun? (Unofficial)

md