Letter to the Editor: 05.01.2025

05.01.25

To the Editor,

For months, the Republican Council majority attacked the Board of Education and Dr. Villanueva over their proposed budget. This culminated in the Council’s demand that the BOE cut $2.5 million from its budget. The BOE complied, and a public hearing on the new figures was held on Tuesday, April 22.

At the final budget meeting on Thursday, April 24, the Council restored $1 million to the Board of Education budget. This did not result from the public outcry but was done because the BOE budget they had insisted on did not comply with state law.  Under State Statute, the Council can’t cut the BOE budget below the amount that was appropriated in the prior year.

It is especially upsetting that the Republican majority’s treatment of Dr. Villanueva and the BOE was completely unnecessary.  If they had done their homework, the BOE would not have had to scramble to find $2.5m in cuts, and then spend more time to determine which services to restore.

Shouldn’t our Town Manager Mark Raimo and new Finance Director Maria Guererra know what state statute requires?  What about Chairwoman Mary Ann Rosa?  She has served on both the Town Council and Board of Education for decades.  What else is this group missing?

The Republican Party has held the majority in Town for 2 decades.  It’s time to recognize that we need new leadership in Watertown.

Katherine Camara

Katherine Camara, 31 Cottage Place, Oakville, CT 06779

203-592-2043