Protecting Branford's Future from Short-Term Thinking Olican on the Representative and past RTMS have worked in part of the tax base. As the same don't know how many Aorus worked, regardless of political n May 13th, every Repub- Finance, the Finance Director Shoreline areas are a significant and union negotiations. As we and Commissions that have Town Meeting voted against the town budget. While we very much are in support of the budget put forth by our Board of Finance and First Selectman Cosgrove, we could not sup- port a move by the Democratic majority that begins the process of draining the town's savings account, something we have been focused on growing for the last 12 years. Currently, Branford has a sav- ings account, what we call 'undesignated funds,' on hand that is about 30% of the annu- al budget. This is not by acci- dent. Cosgrove, the Board of unison to make this happen, as it results in lower interests rates on our projects, like new fields, the Animal Shelter and schools; it also allows us to be proactive in addressing the unique issues that present themselves as a coastal town. While our Democratic counter- parts, who proposed and passed a reduction out of contingen- cy fund last night in an effort to begin draining the town's savings, look at the budget of a single year, we have always focused on looking at multiple years, long-term trends, and the realities we face. time, many along the shore are we will have or the exact final party, to keep Branford on a having a hard time finding insur- ance, many are forced to invest significant dollars to raise their homes and take additional steps to even get insurance. Having lived through major storms like Irene and Sandy, we know too well the costs associated with be- ing a shoreline town. We lived it. Underfunding the contingency account will have long-term impacts. Contingency is not money set aside in case we just happen to need it; it's mon- ey we know we will need but don't have the exact amount yet, such as money for plowing terms for union negotiations, we set money aside as part of the budget for those items. The goal of our Democratic coun- terparts was to remove some of this, thus forcing the town to use savings. However, we have many union negotiations com- ing next year. A cut of $500,000 this year will quickly become a significant shortfall in the out years, resulting in either a larger tax increase or a drain on savings, weakening our town. We stand with our First Select- man, our bipartisan Board of Finance, and our many Boards From the Republican Caucus of the RTM very strong financial path. The short-term decision-making of the Democrats that starts the process of draining the town's savings is simply a bad idea that is the definition of pen- ny-wise, pound-foolish. Yes, we want lower taxes. We are Republicans after all. But we will never do it at the long- term expense of our residents. And while we are proud of the budget that came out of our bipartisan budget process, we cannot agree with the RTM Democrats' strategy to drain the town's savings account. Anthony Alfone Tricia Anderson District 6 District 1 Peter Black District 3 Lindsay Greenberg District 1 Chris Hynes District 2 Ray Ingraham District 5 Joseph Loffredo Barbara Maresca Chiran Neupane District 6 District 7 District 4 Paid for by Branford Republican Town Committee, Ray Ingraham, Treasurer Gino Popolizio District 6 Shannen Sharkey Frank Twohill, Jr. Victoria Verderame District 1 District 1 Minority Leader District 4 Protecting Branford's Future from Short - Term Thinking Olican on the Representative and past RTMS have worked in part of the tax base . As the same don't know how many Aorus worked , regardless of political n May 13th , every Repub- Finance , the Finance Director Shoreline areas are a significant and union negotiations . As we and Commissions that have Town Meeting voted against the town budget . While we very much are in support of the budget put forth by our Board of Finance and First Selectman Cosgrove , we could not sup- port a move by the Democratic majority that begins the process of draining the town's savings account , something we have been focused on growing for the last 12 years . Currently , Branford has a sav- ings account , what we call ' undesignated funds , ' on hand that is about 30 % of the annu- al budget . This is not by acci- dent . Cosgrove , the Board of unison to make this happen , as it results in lower interests rates on our projects , like new fields , the Animal Shelter and schools ; it also allows us to be proactive in addressing the unique issues that present themselves as a coastal town . While our Democratic counter- parts , who proposed and passed a reduction out of contingen- cy fund last night in an effort to begin draining the town's savings , look at the budget of a single year , we have always focused on looking at multiple years , long - term trends , and the realities we face . time , many along the shore are we will have or the exact final party , to keep Branford on a having a hard time finding insur- ance , many are forced to invest significant dollars to raise their homes and take additional steps to even get insurance . Having lived through major storms like Irene and Sandy , we know too well the costs associated with be- ing a shoreline town . We lived it . Underfunding the contingency account will have long - term impacts . Contingency is not money set aside in case we just happen to need it ; it's mon- ey we know we will need but don't have the exact amount yet , such as money for plowing terms for union negotiations , we set money aside as part of the budget for those items . The goal of our Democratic coun- terparts was to remove some of this , thus forcing the town to use savings . However , we have many union negotiations com- ing next year . A cut of $ 500,000 this year will quickly become a significant shortfall in the out years , resulting in either a larger tax increase or a drain on savings , weakening our town . We stand with our First Select- man , our bipartisan Board of Finance , and our many Boards From the Republican Caucus of the RTM very strong financial path . The short - term decision - making of the Democrats that starts the process of draining the town's savings is simply a bad idea that is the definition of pen- ny - wise , pound - foolish . Yes , we want lower taxes . We are Republicans after all . But we will never do it at the long- term expense of our residents . And while we are proud of the budget that came out of our bipartisan budget process , we cannot agree with the RTM Democrats ' strategy to drain the town's savings account . Anthony Alfone Tricia Anderson District 6 District 1 Peter Black District 3 Lindsay Greenberg District 1 Chris Hynes District 2 Ray Ingraham District 5 Joseph Loffredo Barbara Maresca Chiran Neupane District 6 District 7 District 4 Paid for by Branford Republican Town Committee , Ray Ingraham , Treasurer Gino Popolizio District 6 Shannen Sharkey Frank Twohill , Jr. Victoria Verderame District 1 District 1 Minority Leader District 4