Sensing that familiar calm before the storm

While the lack of public outcry over Town Manager Dale Martin’s proposed 2012-13 budget may be refreshing to town officials, the sense of calm in town is a familiar one that has preceded past political battles. If proponents of improvements to the town’s infrastructure want to gain support, they’re going to have to campaign for it.Martin’s $32.9 million proposal, which he reviewed in detail Monday night at Town Hall, calls for bold increases in funding for road repairs, police and fire vehicles and economic development. And though his budget represents a 2.87-mill increase, a large portion of that increase — about $1.3 million — comes from funding the town’s schools at the minimum budget requirement this year, which was not done last year by the town’s previous Board of Selectmen.Martin is one of many town managers who have noted that Winsted’s streets and buildings are in disrepair and that a significant investment is needed to get the town back on track. The lack of arguing over his budget may suggest that residents are keenly cognizant of the municipality’s needs. But are they willing to pay for improvements?If our “calm before the storm” senses are right, a whisper campaign has already begun in the community, dedicated to defeating the budget. Phone calls are being made, selectmen are being stopped on the street to discuss the budget and locals are bristling over the budget in Winsted’s coffee shops. No one seems to be willing yet to show public opposition, but that day will come.In the meantime, Martin and the Board of Selectmen will hold budget hearings with the heads of town departments and representatives of outside organizations to discuss possible adjustments to the proposed budget. Pleas for moderation will be heard as the board contemplates difficult cuts. The naysayers will continue their whisper campaign throughout the process, and won’t bother to attend the hearings.Only when a final budget has been presented to the public will the negative lawn signs come out, telling residents to reject the plan and send it back to the drawing board. A few of the familiar critics will make the most noise, while reasonable folks will feel turned off by the whole process. If the naysayers have their way, the budget will be rejected at the polls and the process will begin again.If people in town really want improvements to their roads, buildings, schools, public safety and economy, they will have to make a significant investment. That investment includes mounting an effective campaign to pass the budget and get to work. Make no mistake, the campaign to vote no is already under way.