To the Editor,

 

While campaigning with A Common Ground for Woodbridge, I’ve heard from many residents who are deeply concerned about our steadily increasing taxes. This year alone, the Town budget rose nearly 5% — the largest increase in over a decade. Combined with the recent revaluation, which raised assessments as much as 80% for some, the result is significant hardship for many taxpayers.

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When the Board of Selectmen voted on the proposed $61.6 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, I voted no.

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One line item stood out: $80,000 for a consultant town planner. While that may not seem large, it reflects a larger problem with the current First Selectman’s approach to town management: relying on misguided outside advice to shape the future of our town. This consultant has done significant damage, including recommending zoning changes that allowed the 804 Fountain Street proposal to advance.

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But the problem goes beyond one line item. Woodbridge’s budgeting process itself is broken. Instead of setting clear priorities and sustainable limits first, we continue to build budgets reactively — approving department requests without a disciplined framework. And without a referendum, the only opportunity to vote on the budget is by attending the Annual Town Meeting — which rarely yields a quorum — leaving many taxpayers with little say in how their money is spent.

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Decisions like this matter. As Election Day nears, I urge you to consider who will bring fiscal responsibility and accountability to our town. Rob Rosasco for First Selectman will:

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• establish a proactive, sustainable budgeting process framework;

• support an annual budget referendum;

• explore methods to increase direct voter accountability for the Board of Finance, including the option of        electing members;

• re-evaluate and re-prioritize the bloated capital plan.

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Your voice matters. We are listening. Together, we can bring responsible fiscal leadership back to Woodbridge.

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— Andrea Urbano, current Board of Selectmen member and candidate for re-election with A Common Ground for Woodbridge.