Tom Gormley Tells It Like It Is.

OFFICIAL RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OF TOWN’S SPENDING PRACTICES 

  This is in response to Pat DeAngelis’ Aug. 19 letter, “Middlebury should not approve budget with hidden costs.” I would like to set the record straight on a number of issues he presented. 

■ The proposed 2008-09 town budget to be voted on Tuesday would reduce spending by 2.4 percent, not raise it 7 percent Mr. DeAngelis wrote. He continues to fail to note our share of the Region 15 education budget, which already has been approved by voters of Southbury and Middlebury will be responsible for any tax increase. 

■ Fire Chief Paul Perrotti traded a used ambulance for a used Ford Expedition from the Police Department. He knew the Expedition would need repairs but as a first responder felt it would be safer to drive in the winter. The chrome wheels Mr. DeAngelis refers to were used wheels obtained from another vehicle to replace the steel ones, which were rusted and needed to be replaced anyway. The cost was about $125. 

■ Mr. DeAngelis writes about the set-aside for the new fire engine. Prudent capital budgeting is done when we can in our household and business budgets, and Middlebury always has done it to build up funding to pay for expensive equipment. As far as his point of having to pay for a new communications system, as Rep. Christopher S. Murphy, D-5th District, recently said, Middlebury’s system was fast approaching the Stone Age. We as a town cannot continue to turn from the need to address critical our needs. 

■ Mr. DeAngelis surmises the town has distorted the projected figures for heating fuel for the coming year. Besides failing to note the recent drop in oil prices, he perhaps is unaware the town is transitioning to natural gas, which will save 25,500 gallons of heating oil, save on maintenance and reduce heating costs by up to 30 percent.

 ■ Mr. DeAngelis says we are wasting $10,000 putting in a new tank at the Fire Department that already has a tank. The truth is the engines and the building all use diesel fuel. The new tank will allow the building to use less expensive fuel, which will save 45 cents per gallon, with a complete payback in three years. 

 First Selectman Tom Gormley 
 Middlebury