Who Should Pay For The Safety Net?

In Town Hall Monday night, the board of finance debate was on full display along classic party lines: two Democrats strongly supporting safety nets, and two Republicans opposed.

Democrats J.W. “Bill” Sheehan and George Peteros both argued for the town to donate funds to private nonprofit organizations. And two Republicans, Alan Wilensky and Brian Vachris, both said the town needs to stop, or at least give much less.

The board continued its budget hearings Monday, with miscellaneous social grants starting off the night. While the town is obligated to fund many of the grants through state statutes, it donates a tad more than $20,000 to social net services to various nonprofits.

Wilensky said he was not completely opposed to the practice, but noted that many towns were giving much less than Waterford. He added that while the board of finance can cut very little within the budget because it is either contractually or statutorily obligated, this was an area where it could cut thousands of dollars.

Peteros strongly disagreed with Wilensky. Because other towns don’t support the organizations doesn’t mean Waterford can’t, he said.

“I am not going to let others influence what we do,” he said.

Second, this is not so much an expenditure as it is an investment, Peteros said. If the town can prevent costly things from happening, it will be worth it, he said.

“I see some of these organizations offer mental health services to troubled youths,” Peteros said. “If we can just prevent one person, one person, from entering the penal system, at a cost of about $50,000 a year, that will have paid for all of these grants and some.”

Sheehan also noted that while the amount the town gives may be small compared to the organization’s overall budget, it is important. Getting local dollars greatly increases the chance of these organizations securing much larger federal grants, he said.

Overall, the board sided with Peteros and Sheehan. Ron Fedor and Norm Glidden, both Republicans, both sided with the two Democrats.

List Of Some Non-Profit Organizations Waterford Contributes To:

• Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc
• SECT Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency
• Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut
• United Community & Family Services
• Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut
• New London County Association for Retarded Citizens
• New London Homeless Shelter