To the editor:
Last night’s Board of Finance meeting underscored inconsistency in the approach that the board takes to managing our finances.
The request for appropriation in the amount of $205,249 for the Comprehensive Beach Resiliency Planning Study received many insightful comments from the board members. It was during this discussion when I noted the inconsistency of the town’s approach to procurement and appropriation.
Following the proper protocols, the study was being procured through a competitive RFP process that was conducted prior to the request for appropriation being submitted to the board.
I couldn’t help but compare this approach to the one that the town and the BOF are taking as it relates to the multimillion-dollar procurement of design and construction management services for the Long Lots School project.
Specifically:
In disregard of the mandate by Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-287(b) (2) and (3) the town procured and the BOF approved funding the feasibility study without going through the competitive RFP process.
Appropriation for the next phase of design and construction management services is once again being considered for a vote prior to going through the state-mandated competitive RFP process, not after, as in the case of the appropriation for the Beach Resiliency Planning Study.
Why?
This inconsistency is disturbing. What I find equally disturbing is when I sent a letter with detailed justification to the BOF chair asking him to address important financial issues relative to the Long Lots chool project, he simply deleted my email without reading it. Below is the auto response from my Outlook:
For the record, the issues were:
- The statutory rules governing process, specifically the RFQ and RFP processes.
- Inaccuracies in projections put forth by the LLSBC regarding staging.
- Excessive “square foot per student” ratio presented by the LLSBC.
Yulee Aronson, PE
Westport
Disgraceful. That citizens are routinely and arrogantly dismissed by the Chair of the BOF is unacceptable. Do better, elected officials. The BOF should immediately revisit its selection of a chairman.
Outrageous, and completely unacceptable.
And our utter lack of trust in this “broken” system gets questioned.
Apparantly registered mail and signature required is becoming necessary.
The audacity of an elected official to ignore and delete your email. Who does he think he is ?
We have every right to be incredibly suspicious of what is going on, and to demand answers when correct processes are not being followed. Every right !
Happy New Year Westport. With that said, I would like to once again say that I disagree with the opinion presented here. There is no issue with the statue being mentioned. It is and has been followed by the town on this and prior school projects. Suggestions that this is not being followed by the LLSBC are simply inaccurate.
Just because the way this current LLS process is being conducted mimics other builds in the past, does not mean it is in keeping with the state mandates in place.
It is highly probable that correct process governed by statute was not followed on previous projects.
If rules were broken in the past it does not mean the new norm is to no longer follow state mandates.
State mandates are there for our protection.
I believe ignoring or conveniently choosing to turn a blind eye via a vis state mandates regarding process is not legal.
Like it or not a massive lack of transparency has led Westports tax payers to take to scrutinizing the small print and keeping a very watchful eye on everything happening from now on.
I do not see that going away anytime soon.
LLS, and Parker Harding have been eye opening. As has the refusal to hear petitions.
People are doing their own homework.