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Bolton RTC Members	Governor Rell Blasts U.S. Senate Vote to Strip F-22 Raptor Funding             Governor M. Jodi Rell today blasted a 58-40 vote in the U.S. Senate to strip $1.75 billion in funding for seven additional F-22 Raptor fighter planes, but said the effort to preserve the program – which has major implications for Connecticut ’s aerospace industry – is far from ended.             “This is a seriously short-sighted decision – but fortunately it is not the final verdict,” Governor Rell said. “I will continue working with the Connecticut Congressional delegation to ensure the F-22 program not only survives but thrives. As concerned as I am about the Connecticut economy – and the F-22 means thousands of jobs at suppliers large and small – this is first and foremost a question about national defense. We need the Raptor, especially when many nations have developed or purchased aircraft that can compete effectively with the aging F-15 fighter.             “Of course, it is an ill-considered decision from an economic standpoint as well,” the Governor said. “The F-22 is powered by jet engines made at Pratt & Whitney and includes components from numerous Connecticut manufacturers. In all, almost 100,000 jobs around the country have a direct or indirect link to the F-22 program. We must make sure we continue to support the skills, experience and insight of our aerospace industry.             “In the midst of the greatest economic turmoil since the Great Depression – and at a time when Congress has approved countless hundreds of billions of dollars in stimulus funding and bailouts for banks and automotive manufacturers – I cannot understand why this relatively small amount of money is seen as a stumbling block,” Governor Rell said. “I appreciate the efforts of Senators Dodd and Lieberman today and I know that all the members of the Connecticut delegation are as committed as I am to maintaining our technological superiority and preserving these jobs.”
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	Governor Rell Signs Trio of Bills to Help Connecticut Families Struggling with Mortgages             Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she has signed three important bills that will help more Connecticut families who are struggling to pay their mortgages keep their homes, including a bill making the state’s foreclosure mediation process mandatory – rather than optional – for all foreclosures that began after July 1. The bills also set new standards for mortgage professionals, expand eligibility for state mortgage assistance programs and create the crime of residential mortgage fraud.             “Far too many Connecticut families are staring at a stack of bills and wondering how they will make the next mortgage payment – or worse, despairing of ever catching up with the payments they have already missed,” Governor Rell said. “The majority of these are not homeowners who unwisely bought more house than they could afford. They are hard-working people who have been laid off or seen their incomes reduced as the world’s economic downturn continues to take a terrible toll on our state. Others are the victims of lax – or even unscrupulous – lending practices.             “Our goal is to help those Connecticut families – and those lenders – who are making good-faith efforts to resolve these problems,” the Governor said. “There are no victors in a completed foreclosure. Borrowers lose their home and their share of the American Dream. Lenders lose an interest-earning loan. Neighbors end up with an empty house next door and see their own property values decrease. It is the best interests of everyone to prevent this cycle and keep our state’s housing market viable.”             Under Senate Bill 948, An Act Concerning Implementation of the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act, the voluntary foreclosure mediation program established in 2008 by Governor Rell and the co-Chairs of the Legislature’s Banking Committee – state Senator Bob Duff (D-25) and state Representative Ryan Barry (D-12) – becomes mandatory for all foreclosures starting July 1 and thereafter.             “Since the voluntary program has been in place, more than a quarter of foreclosures have gone to mediation – and about 70 percent of those have been resolved without the homeowner losing their home or the lender taking over the property,” Governor Rell said. “It’s hard to argue with that kind of success. We want to see many, many more foreclosures end in similar happy circumstances.”             The bill also implements the 2008 Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act by establishing conditions for licensing of mortgage professionals, including education and testing requirements.             House Bill 6481, An Act Concerning the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, expands eligibility for two state-run assistance programs designed to help responsible homeowners facing financial hardship stay in their homes.             Under current law, “financial hardship” is generally defined as a drop in household income of 25 percent or more that cannot be offset by selling the homeowner’s assets. The definition also includes significant increases in mortgage payment amounts or other housing expenses, including the costs of heat and utilities. The legislation allows the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) to determine what constitutes a significant drop in the borrower’s income and to broaden the definition of circumstances that are outside the homeowner’s control.             The new law also allows homeowners to apply for the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program even before receiving a notice of foreclosure if they are 60 days or more delinquent on their mortgage. In addition, the new law expands eligibility for Governor Rell’s CT FAMLIES mortgage assistance program from homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) to homeowners with all types of mortgages.             Senate Bill 949, An Act Concerning Mortgage Practices, creates the crime of residential mortgage fraud, a Class D or Class C felony.             A single instance of mortgage fraud – the act of knowingly making a material misstatement, misrepresentation or omission during the mortgage lending process with the intention that a lender, broker, borrower or other person will rely on it – is a Class D felony, while multiple instances are Class C felonies. Class D felonies are punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and $5,000 in fines; Class C felonies are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
	Bolton Republicans Oppose Sale of Notch Road Municipal Center Group Promotes Plan to Save Town Asset, Help Bolton Taxpayers The Bolton Republican Town Committee approved a measure 18-0 to oppose the sale of the Notch Road Municipal Center before voters formally accept a plan to expand Town Hall. The Bolton Republican Town Committee believes the Notch Road Municipal Center could be a lower-cost alternative if voters do not approve the $5 million expansion of Town Hall. Rather than selling the building, the committee wants the town to retain ownership until a plan for municipal and school space needs has been approved by referendum. “We need to decide just what is necessary, what realistic options are available, and what the community can afford,” said Jennifer Harvey, chairwoman of the Republican Town Committee. “The economy has brought many capital projects in towns to a grinding halt. The need hasn’t diminished, just the financial resources. Bolton has a resource and, for a fraction of the cost, could ease a space crunch at town hall and keep a piece of town history for future generations,” Harvey said. Republicans are rallying together and seeking community groups and citizens to join their grassroots effort. They hope a townwide front will persuade the Board of Selectmen to break off negotiations to sell. Only if voters decide the municipal center is not an integral part should the building be sold. The Bolton Republican Town Committee has outlined several reasons why the town should not sell the municipal center. Bolton requires more office space to adequately serve the community’s needs. Given today’s economic conditions, taxpayers may not be willing to accept the $4,875,000 addition to town hall as an affordable long-term solution. The Notch Road Municipal Center is an asset already owned by the town that could help alleviate overcrowding at town hall.  Several town offices are currently housed in the Notch Road Municipal Center. The town should have a comprehensive plan for the relocation of those offices before the building is sold or leased to a new tenant. That plan should have the community’s approval. Selling the Notch Road Municipal Center could prove to be an expedient, shortsighted option. Many communities sell or demolish what are viewed as extraneous municipal buildings and later regret those decisions when future needs arise. Zoning restrictions on the property and its proximity to the center school limit potential buyers’ use and expansion possibilities, thus lowering its market value. Relinquishing control of this property to a not-for-profit entity means it cannot be added to the Bolton grand list. And because the sale would most likely generate very little in actual revenue, it should not factor significantly in determining disposition of the property. Use of the Notch Road Municipal Center as a town facility is the most sustainable development option available to the community. It is an effective way to meet the town’s needs, while preserving the environment and minimizing the impact of development. Furthermore, if the Notch Road Municipal Center is sold, Bolton loses control over a building with local historical significance. For many growing up in Bolton this building served as the only community school, and they believe it has not yet outlived its usefulness.
	Governor Rell Announces New Web Site Allows Taxpayers to Review, Weigh In on Budget Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has created a new Web site that gives taxpayers to opportunity review the entire two-year state budget, follow the most up-to-date changes and make recommendations on how to make state government more efficient. “We welcome scrutiny. We welcome ideas,” Governor Rell said. “These are challenging times that require leadership and ingenuity. Now is not the time to fight over who gets credit. This is not my budget, nor the Legislature’s. It belongs to the taxpayers of Connecticut who have a right to be part of the process, and most importantly, the solution.” The interactive budget can be accessed by clicking on the “Budget Forum” link on the Governor’s Web site at: www.ct.gov/governorrell. One of the prime features is the “Submit Ideas” section that provides an online suggestion form for the public to share suggestions on anything from the overall budget to state services. There are links to view the budgets of specific agencies and aid to cities and towns to as well as a link to view and download the entire 600-page document, which is divided into the following key areas: Tax Revenue Agency Budgets A comprehensive overview of state revenue and expenditures for Fiscal Years 2007-09 is depicted in colorful pie charts and easy-to-read graphics and also are spelled out in detail in text.  “The Web site is a wonderful educational tool. One quick look at the revenue chart, for example, taxpayers will know instantly that more than 42 percent of our revenue comes from personal income tax and 20 percent from sales tax. Those figures will really resonate with everyone as we hear forecasts on unemployment and consumer spending,” Governor Rell said. The site also includes the specifics of Governor Rell’s Deficit Mitigation Plan intended to close a $300 million budget shortfall and current and archived news releases on the economy and budget. “Taxpayers deserve to know how and where their dollars are being spent and the state budget has always been open to scrutiny,” Governor Rell said. “This new Web site makes it much easier to access that information and, I hope, give the public a clearer understanding of what we are facing in these challenging economic times.”
	Bolton Republican Town Committee Members The following citizens of Bolton currently serve as officers of the Republican Town Committee: Chairwoman - David Treadwell; Vice-Chairman - Jennifer Harvey; Secretary - Judy Wilson; Treasurer - Ron Rousseau. A complete listing of all members of the Bolton RTC is available on this website.