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Participating is Republican incumbent, First Selectman Thomas A. Herrmann, his Democratic challenger, Chris Neubert, and Republican Selectman, Scott S. Centrella and Democratic Selectman Robert H. Lessler.
Located North of Fairfield, East of Redding, West of Trumbull and South of Bethel is the Town of Easton where citizens value good education, prize low taxes, protect their serenity, and invite farmers who love the land, rather than developers, to settle.
The debate was in tone an agreeable expression and exchange of views in response to a variety of written questions from the public, posed by the moderator. The questions similar to those that had been posed and considered before in other venues were answered with knowledgeable aplomb. Some fifty or so attendees sat or stood listening to the nuanced responses.
As the four, the incumbent First Selectman Herrmann, the Democratic Challenger Neubert, and Democratic and Republican Selectmen Centrella and Lessler summed up, the accent was very much upon the wistful fellowship of those who serve the town of Easton, who accept its challenges and who work to solve its problems.
There was a tension between the political process and its outcome and an the underlying appeal throughout to the citizens of Easton to vote, not the party line, but for those candidates who would best serve Easton in these times.
Each incumbent candidate and the challenger reiterated his qualifications or his accomplishments while serving as first selectman or selectmen.
The first question related to the kind of progress being made on the 9-11 Memorial after eight years of consideration. All candidates agreed that a final decision has yet to be made because of an error in properly formulating the proposal to include an acceptable site for a memorial.
The second question asked if Planning and Zoning members ought to be elected. Newbert felt that it "should be an office that people vote on. Planning and Zoning is a protector of rural integrity."
Herrmann on the other hand felt that members "should remain appointed and insulated from the political process to remain impartial." Said Herrmann, "It is important for Selectmen to have the authority to make those kinds of decisions.
Herrmann repeated one of his themes while picking up on Centrella's theme that like judges who ought to be free of politics, Planning and Zoning members ought to be appointed. Herrmann said, "It reinforces the point that we should have the right selectman. No politics, [appoint and not elect P & Z members] we look at qualifications and not party politics.
The next question was about the need for more cell phone towers. Centrella started by stating, "We shouldn't have towers all over town. The question is not whether to have them but rather where to place them.
"We want to be part of the dialogue," said Herrmann. We need to "do what we can where there need be a cell tower with the lowest impact as a whole..." on the community.
Lessler concurred. "It is important for us to have them at the optimum location. He felt that if there must be towers, "we ought to locate them for revenue to supplement the income of our farmers by having them [the towers] on their lands."
Neubert summed it up. The hand is being dealt by the state. Our job is to "Preserve the rural integrity of the Town of Easton."
The next question related to the "South Park Property." A developer had the property to build a condominium style development that would have included some affordable housing. The town opposed the plan because it did not conform to land use zoning. And the developer abandoned the project.
On this topic, Lessler stated his view that there is "another chapter to be written because anything can be written on this book: "How to fund a six million dollar cost to the town."
Herrmann confirmed that there is another use contemplated by the "Prayer Center" group. That "program is intact and on schedule. The principal benefactor will come before the town shortly." But he revealed that the group has another track in another town in mind.
For his turn, Centrella stated, "if we don't go forward, we would all have a hand in planning town use." He was referring to what to do with the parcel if the town were to purchase the property for the mentioned sum of about six million dollars.
A question of not having adequately funded the schools in the last budget came up for discussion. And Lessler made the point, "When your principal is begging for money to save programs, that's shameful."
Neubert made his point by saying about schools, "When it boils down to you as a citizen, you would think, the best investment is my home, my home, my home..." making the point that the value of one's home is directly related to the quality of the schools - making his point that cutting school programs has unaccounted consequences leading to loss of confidence" in those who govern.
The decision to cut school programs fell under the Board of Finance.
Citizens wanted to know about the next re-valuation and what was planned to make it fair. Lessler outlined the steps in hiring a reputable company to conduct appraisals. "Some people will be pleased" he stated, Some will have a chance to challenge."
Herrmann noted that after the last re-valuation, values changed because market values fluctuated in the then current economy. But Centrella warned, "If you think that less value means less taxes," you should know that you "...will be paying proportionately in the same range of taxes."
Following a short break, candidates addressed a question about tax relief for seniors. Herrmann made the point that "last year we passed a tax relief that is best in the state." He went on to outline what this plan entails.
Centrella mentioned that the plan still has some "...anomalies to work through." Lessler reiterated that tax relief for senior was Best in State and was an example of bipartisan success.
Lastly, a question of how to improve the economic vitality of Easton was given the panel. Neubert stated that farming is an" important part of the history of Easton and integral part of the community. We have to help farmers obtain additional revenue. We need to do some barnstorming, bring the people [including students] together..." to help us provide solutions.
Lessler felt that new farms increase visibility about farming, and farming ought to be tied to the school curriculum.
Herrmann touted last year's farm tour as a great success. He thought that a good plan for Easton would be to plan for an Easton Center to promote the brand, Easton Grown. That he felt might increase the amount growers get for their produce. Centrella thought that existing space could be used for citizen farming and kids, too.
Wrapping it up, the challenger and incumbents reviewed their qualifications. All three incumbents have extensive town service in their resumes. The challenger admits that he is relatively new to the town.
Asked if they would raise taxes or if the schools should always get increases, Neubert replied by stating, "I can say we will always investigate and reach a consensus. Scott felt that "...a tax analysis task force," would help in making the best decisions to allocate tax dollars.
Capping the evening with some memorable statements, Herrmann reiterated a goal to "keep zoning regulations that truly let us enjoy our lands." And wistfully longed "...at election time to work hard to reduce partisan rancor."
Centrella suggested that the town "...take a look at how we go through our budget process with some long range planning."
Neubert felt that in order to "...retain the rural integrity, simplicity and beauty [of Easton], we need to be proactive in protecting these values."
Lessler talked about Easton as a Pastoral Oasis. "We have a gift to protect by keeping watchful eyes on it."
On the issue of what any one of them might have done differently, Centrella felt that the 9-11 committee placement of the memorial might have been approached differently. "I should have used my influence to arrive at a reasonable consensus." Lessler agreed, "We should have talked more before fashioning a resolution."
In closing, Herrmann said, "It has been a tremendous job. Thank you. I hope you see merit in what we have accomplished as a Board these last two years."
Centrella posited: there has been "...no major policy differences. It's about leadership."
Lessler summed up his views. "Do your part as citizens to learn all you can about candidates. Let us have a competitive election. Vote the person, not the party."
And Neubert capped the evening by saying, "Elections are about the future. My focus is core values. I want to strengthen and support schools and strengthen and protect your taxes and the rural qualities. And I will make good decisions."
The Easton Exchange Club and the Easton Lions Club sponsored the evening. The Q&A format for the evening began at 8 p.m. and ended at 9:45 p.m.
Polls Open at 6 a.m. at Samuel Staples School and close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
