Financial nightmares are nothing new to Connecticut towns, particularly Winsted, which — like it or not — is facing a debilitating economic crisis. Fed by a nation-wide recession, the economic woes are marked by higher property taxes and decreased services. Unfortunately, the problems have gotten worse each year as local leaders have done little more than point fingers at each other.
While it’s too early to guage the success of Winsted’s current administration, there are signs that progress continues to lag. The hiring of a town planner has been stalled for months, a needs assessment for the town has not been completed, strategic goals have not been publicly identified and infrastructure improvements continue to languish. The repeating of this information every two weeks is beginning to sound like the reports of previous administrations, which promised progress but, more often than not, came up short. The missing link may be a collective willingness to take action.
Another disappointing sign of inaction came with the announcement Monday night that the Highland Lake Relay has been canceled because the Winsted Recreation Department hasn’t had enough time or energy to schedule the event.
As far as positive ideas go, a fairly obvious plea from former Selectman Alan DiCara to focus on investment in the community perked up the ears of selectmen and Town Manager Wayne Dove Monday night. DiCara suggested the implementation of a revolving low-interest loan fund for small businesses, requiring an initial investment from taxpayers that would be paid back in the form of both interest income from loan repayments and a larger grand list.
Dove applauded the idea but noted that Winsted is still trying to figure out what its top 10 priorities are for the coming year, so any plans for investment must be put on the back burner for now.
Just how long needed investments in Winsted will remain on that back burner is anyone’s guess, but as local leaders have spent much of the last 10, 20, even 50 years talking about plans and how to get Winsted back on its feet, the prevailing trend has been more stagnation.
If town leaders continue to repeat the same messages without delivering actual results, Winsted will find itself stuck in the same woods for many years to come. Now is the time to take action — get the new people hired, start the new projects and bring on the investors — because only action will lead to results.
It’s a familiar slogan that nobody wants to hear, but we’ll say it anyway: Just do it.
Dick Hermans in the Oblong Bookstore on Millerton’s Main Street in 1985.Provided
Fall storage crop harvests amid soil building cover crops at Adamah Farm in Falls Village. Janna Siller 
