the cassetti plan

7/27/2019 The Cassetti Plan

1/14

AnsoniaRtrCI{ARGtrD

ffi*.*Keffiffmffiffiffiffimffiffi WKmffi


2/14

t t"F F F,rtF l{ * H e d.l-t Cb F.s

Ansonia is a great city in need of a freshstart.As a lifelong resident and local businessowner I fully understand the challengesfacing myhometown: high taxes, emptyfactories and failing schools are among thechief concerns on my mind.I am running for mayor to offer newsolutions to Ansonia's challenges.The document you are reading is my gameplan for Ansonia. It addresses the city'smost pressing problems with clear andlogical policy recommendations. It is anoutline of the priorities you can expect aCassetti administration to embrace.I believe that Ansonia is ready for a newapproach to city government. As you readthrough my p1an, you will see that the coreprinciples of transparency, efficiency andprofessionalism guide each of my policyrecommendations.My vision for Ansonia is that of a dynamic and affordable small city that residentscan be proud to call home.That vision will become a reality with your support.Regards,Darre,@


3/14

AtrcrdahEeTaxesThe ChallengeAnsoniahas the ninth highesttaxburdeninthe state of Cormeetieut.Source: www.ct.gov

Comparing Ansonia's mill rate to similar sized towns in honestly shocking.Tow'n' ' ' ', Mill,Rate PqPuI4tioRAnsonia

,Monroe 3o4LMonwille z9.o6 tg,6tzRocfu Hill | 26.6,a .'East Lyme , 23;35

Hieh Tax Town ' Mil} Rate Popula$ont24,867tro,t893r,Blo73,26t51,29358,287145,638r29,585t9r2l956,913

r. Hartfordz. Waterbury3. Naugatuck4. New Britainb. East Hartford6. Manchester :7. Bridgeport8. NewHaveng.Ansoniaro. Hamden

7+:29s6.98,44.8044.r243.9043.1341.854o.8o39.3438.94


4/14

Madison 20.39 18,239Ansonia's tax burden also surpasses that of other nearby towns:Nearhv Tor,yn MiIl RateAnsoniaDerbySeymourOrangeBethanyOxford

Ansonia's tax trouble is accompanied by a spending problem. Ansonia's citybudget now totals $6r Million.i--.-'::' Town Budget

39.3435.3433.2330.5028.7724.74

AnsoniaSeymourOxford

$6r Million$Sz Million$42 Million$gZ Millionerby

The spending trend in Ansonia is also unsettling:Source: Ansonia citybudgetBudget Year City Budget Net Tax fncrease2ooB-og2OO9-r.O2010-1120Lt-1220-12-132013-L4

$ss Million$S+ Million$SZ Million$sq Million$SB Million$6r Million

tog%-.o3%r.g%2g%6.o%7.o


5/14

Dave's Tax Solutionsr.@The first step to reverse Ansonia's outrageous tax burden is to deveiop aleaner and more efficient city government.

Professionalize with a Citv ManagerAdministrators in city hall are presently paid over $r Miilion peryear. A Cassetti administration would utilize charter revision toconsolidate positions such as Grant Writer, Mayor's Assistant,Human Resources Director, and Government Liaison to create asingle City Manager position.The qualifications for the City Manager position would be at least amaster's degree in Public Administration (MPA) and severalyears' experience as a department head in local government oras an assistant city manager.The City Manager system of governance has worked successfully inmany Connecticut communities. The hiring of qualified CityManager to work in tandem with the Mayor will removeunnecessary layers of costly bureaucracy and bring professionaiismto city hall.Abolish the Board of Apportionment and TaxationThe current budgetary system in Ansonia is confusing andinefficient. Supreme financial authority rests with the uneiectedBoard of Apportionment and Taxation (BOAT), while the authorityto govern the city and oversee its boards is split between the Mayorand Board of Aldermen.Splitting the authority to budget (the most important power amunicipality possesses) from the authority to govern has created abizarre bureaucratic process where elected officials are absolved ofall accountability for city spending.A Cassetti administration will utilize the charter revision process toeliminate BOAT and place month-to-month budgetary decisions inthe hands of elected officiais. At budget time the Mayor and CityManager will formulate a Mayor's Budget, whidr will be sent forapprovai to the Board of Aldermen.

a.

b.


6/14

z. Ssgr$nlze-eq$$The identification of cost savings must become a year-round priority in Ansonia.

a. The first official act of the Cassetti administration wouldimmediately establish a permanent Commission tasked solely withidentifying cost-saving recommendations for the city. ThisCommission would report each month to the Mayor and Board ofAldermen.b. Zero Increase Budgets. At budget time a Cassettiadministration will mandate that all department heads submit azero-increase budget in addition to their usual budget requests.This wilt shift the burden of finding potential cost cuts to thedepartments, who are in the best position to assess their mostpressing needs.c. Publish Ciw and Board of Education Checkbook Oqlinetaxpayers have a right to know exactiy what their money is-beingspent on. Making month-to-month expenditures pubiic will opengovernment spending up to public review and constructive critique.d. Enforce E-Year Budget OutlookAli city departments wili be forced to publish a s-year budgetprojection. This wili allow city officials to proactively plan forbudget challenges

3. Provide Tax ReliefA Cassetti administration will work to establish @ property tax reliefprograms for low-income seniors. Dave will seek state reimbursement tolover the cost of implementation. Ansonia has received thousands in stategrants for education and the Riverwalk project. It is time for Hartford tostep-up for Ansonia's seniors.

a.@This program will entitle eiderly residents to a property taxreduction based on their income level. It is authorized byConnecticut General Statutes $ $rz-r7oaa-cc.b. Senior "Tax Freezeoo Proeramfhis pro[iam would freeze qualified senior homeowners' real estatetaxeJat the level of the tax due for the assessment year beginningOctober r of the year immediately preceding the date thehomeowner applies. It is authorized by Connecticut GeneralStatutes and CGS $rz-r7ov and -w.


7/14

Eusirres$ Grc$&The ChallengeAnsonia's grand list represents the total vaiue oftaxable real estate, businessequipment and motor vehicles in the city. It has recently fallen by a catastrophicamount: a nearly $Boo million loss of value.

Grind'List CollabsezoLz$1;145 Billion* Nearly $30{l }titlion Lostr!

S zo'reWhat led to this precipitous drop in Ansonia's grand list? Part of the probiem isthat Ansonia's business base is extraordinarily weak.The: Commercial,Grand tist has been in deeline since zoo7.2007zooS20o'92o102011

$roSMillion$roTMillion$roTMiIIion$ro+ Million$ro+ Million


8/14

Independent consulting firm Bartram & Cochran performed an economicdevelopment study on Ansonia in early 2013. That study revealed that city hallwas an obstacle to business growth.Findings of Independent Study

. ,,There may have been more of a focus on fair housing issues rather thaneconomic development."

. "A resounding theme that describes the past few years is that economicdevelopment to the extent that it has occurred has happened by accident."' "The city's relationship with business is a difficult one"'. "Ansonia's Boards and Commissions could work together more effectively toattract new business."n "zoninghas been identified as a stumbling block. some areas needing fix upmay be impeded by zoning"". "Key sites (Ansonia Copper & Brass site) still have an environmental cloudhanging over them."

When a respected and objective source like Bartram & Cochran identifies cityhailas a "stumbling block" to economic development, a wake-up call is in order!Additionally, the present administration has offered no solution for the sprawlingstretch of vacant factory space formerly occupiedbyAmerican Copper & Brass.

I'HE AMERICAN BRASS COMPANY


9/14

Dave's Develspment $olutionst. Attract New Businesses

Cityhall must approach economic development as its most essentialfunction.a.@Ansonia Republicans have already successfully introduced abusiness incentive program that authorizes the city to extend taxabatements to businesses in return for a commitment to invest. ACassetti administration would utilize this program to its fullestextent, giving investors a reason to choose Ansonia over competingtowns.b. Vision forArnerican Copper & Brass

Dave believes that the former factory space downtown representslargest opportunity. With a solid plan, a new downtown may arisefrom ashes of Ansonia's former industrial complex. A Cassettiadministration will form a coalition of stakeholders, including cityofficials and business owners, to work on developing a pian for thesite. The inspiration for the effort will be projects such asBridgeport's HarborYard and West Hartford's Biue Back Square.c. Business Friendly ReeulationsZoningin Ansonia has been identified as a "stumbling biock." Daveunderstands thatAnsonia's regulations must help, not hinder, thecity's economic development efforts. ACassetti administration willtake the following steps to create a more business friendly

atmosphere:. Review existing zoning overlays to ensure that they are clearand conducive to encouraging business investment.. Institute the practice of holding zoning "work sessions" thatailow a business applicants to informaily meet with key cityofficials prior to a formal zoning hearing.r Create land use descriptions that wili enable prospectiveinvestors to easily determine if a property suits theirpu{pose.. Establish Cottage Industry regulations that will allowprofessionals to work from home.


10/14

AdvertisingAnsoniaWe know Ansonia offers investors great opportunities. But do they knowit?

PR CamoaisnAnsonia has a lot to offer: a commercial main street; historicneighborhoods; suburban residences; and a wooded nature centerare just some of the attractions. Dave will work to implement amarketing campaign that highligfuts Ansonia's unique profile.Business Growth Task ForceA Cassetti administration will assemble a team of representatives tomarketAnsonia to all corners of Connecticut...and beyond. It is notenough to throw a "for sale" sign up on a commercial property. Thecity must actively advertise key properties to the right investors.Utilize Economic Develonment WebsiteThe city's new economic development website should be used tofeature specific Ansonia businesses and to highlight availablecommercial properties. If used ProPedY, the website will providean excellent vehicle for reaching new investors.

3. Retain Existing BusinessesThe needs and concerns of existing businesses must be addressed by city hall.

Encourage Improvements and ExoansionDave will work with the Board of Aldermen to discount all buildingpermits for business improvements during his first year in office.Form a CoalitionA Cassetti administration will immediately restore the defunctAnsonia Business Council and workto establish a strong andsupportive relationship between city hall and the local businesscommunity.Business AssistanceDave will expand Ansonia's current storefront rehabilitation loanprogram. He will aggressively pursue state funded grant initiativesto benefitbusiness owners. In a difficult economybusinesses needall the help they can get.Clean StreetsCustomers want to shop in clean and attractive locales. Dave willutilize Ansonia public works to keep Ansonia's business districts

b.

b.

d.

10


11/14

clean and presentable. Further, he will prioritize beautificationprojects that eliminate long-standing eyesores like vacant lots onMain Street and the graffiti covered retaining wall.e. ConstantContactAs obvious as it may be, email and social networking sites allow for

easy communication between cityhall andbusiness owners. Davewill use this technolory to stay in close and regular contact with thebusiness community.

L1


12/14

Qual$Edwcati$mT'he ChallengeAnsonia's school system is in need of support.Schooldigger.com recently rated Ansonia's school system r6qttr out ofrz6 school dislricts.A review of student performance rankings relative to the zorz-zor3 CMTMathematics and Reading tests show scores in need of improvement:SchoolAnsoniaMiddle SchoolAnsonia High School

Ansonia 182CT Districts Similar to Ansonia 19.3Other CT Districts 16.4

Per{ormance Ranking2o2 out of 2661S7out oft94

22.220.417.9

Source: www.schooldigger,comAnsonia has the largest class size in some elementary grades and the high schoolwhen compared to similar school districts:

Average Elementary School Class SizeK Grade2 Grade5

23.620.819.5

Ansonia schools also have a challenge providing students with the most basicresource: books.


13/14

other cT Districts 31.0It is also clear that Ansonia schools are struggling to provide students access to thetechnolory needed in today's world:

', r 'Tri4hfiolog}rc4p ,: State Average Ansonia's Avgrage,

' 3.1 students percomputer 5,2 students per computer'Source: Ansonia Board of Education, www.ansonia.org

13


14/14

Dave'$ Education Solutions1. Parhnership for Education

There are no miracle soiutions to solvingAnsonia's educationproblems. However, Dave will do what the present administration hasfalea to accomplish: he will forge a true partnership between theBoard of Education and City Hall to address the needs of our schools.The adversarial relationship between the Board of Education and CityHall must end. The Mayor and School Superintendent must fullpartners in improving education.Further, the Board of Aldermen and Board of Education must establisha working relationship that lasts year-round. There is currently noBoard of Education representation at Board of Aldermen meetings, orvice-versa. This must change.

z. StrengthinNumhersA Cassetti administration will reach out to surrounding school districtsto study cost-sharing and cost-saving solutions. There is presently noValtey-wide coalition for education. As Mayor, Dave will work toestablish a network of communication between the Valley schooldistricts.B. Lobbv HartfordAs Mayor, Dave will make it a priority to engage Ansonia's statelegislators and to visit Hartford himself in support of the schoolsystem.4. Role for ResidentsSfudents are in need of a practical education. As Mayor, Dave willreach out to Ansonia's residents to introduce real-world education tothe classroom.

Ansonia's residents are truly an untapped resource. Encouragingvolunteerism in our sehools will broaden students'perspectives andstrengthen the bonds of our community.

74

the cassetti plan

Documents