WEST HARTFORD — The West Hartford Taxpayers Association announced its six winners in their contest seeking the best ideas on how to cut spending as the town prepares its upcoming budget. Judy Aron, vice president of the WHTA, said the contest received 45 suggestions from 31 entries recommending ways to cut back on the budget. The entries were narrowed down to 12 by removing some suggestions that were impossible because of state mandates, like proposing to eliminate busing of kids to private schools. The WHTA voted on the group of 12, and the six highest vote-getters were the winners.
The first prize winner was William McCarthy, who suggested that the town close the fire house on Prospect Avenue.
“This would save a lot of dollars. I emailed the mayor two years about his issue. We have over 93 employees in the fire department and we spend over $1.2 million in overtime per year. Overtime would be reduced considerably,” said McCarthy. The fire house is due for some upgrades, which the town is unsure it wants to spend the money on, according to Aron.
“We know the town has been looking into this,” said Aron.
The first prize winner will be awarded a free round of golf for four players at Tower Ridge Country Club. The second prize is a $100 gift certificate to Daswani Clothiers, followed by a free blow dry and haircut at Oggi Hair Salon for third prize along with a pedicure at Nail Pro for fourth place. Fifth and sixth prizes are $20 gift certificates to CVS and Stop & Shop.
The WHTA will present the ideas they’ve collected to the town council.
“They’ve been really good dealing with the WHTA because this is a big budget issue we are all addressing. The lines of communication are very, very open, more so than they have been in the past decade,” said Aron. “It gets people thinking about the possibilities. They are just suggestions at this point, but it certainly gives a sense to people that they can contribute and communicate.”
Second prize went to Jerald Shimoda-Peterson, who suggested that the town buy fuel in a bulk manner to reduce costs for police cars and other town cars, turn down the thermostats a few degrees in public buildings and take town credit cards away from town employees.
“Nothing sticks in the claw of taxpayers more than the oft repeated rumor that a number of town employees were given credit cards. It should be disavowed clearly once and for all. Immediate action should be taken to clear all cards,” said Shimod-Peterson.
Marilyn Winograd, the third prize winner, said “Administrators can teach one or more classes per semester, eliminating the need to hire more teachers. They would also have first-hand information about classroom behavior.”
Former town councilor Joe Visconti also took part in the contest and won fourth prize.
“Time clocks should be purchased and installed in all town buildings so all town employees can punch in and out. GPS devices should be purchased and installed in all town vehicles to measure the work progress of the town’s employees. A log of work should completed according to tasks,” Visconti said in his suggestion.
Fifth prize went to an applicant named Mark, whose last name was unknown. He suggested that the town reduce administration in West Hartford’s public schools.
“Do we really need a principal and three vice principals to run a school with 600 kids? I would reduce the amount of administrators to one, with an assistant and a master teacher,” he said.
Lesley Warner, who won sixth prize, suggested that a water company should audit the water usage in town. She said that water waste happens because local pools are leaking and suggested an inquiry into what kinds of water-saving devices could be used.
“We were very intrigued with doing a water audit that would be similar to and energy audit,” said Aron.
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