The Board of Finance approved the FY2020-2021 budget and set the mill rate after receiving little input from taxpayers at a June 10 virtual public hearing on the municipal and elementary school budgets. Only two questions – on the Fire Department’s supplies and on reimbursement for Covid-19 related expenses — were raised during the public hearing which lasted only 15 minutes. This is the first year that taxpayers will not approve the budgets at a town meeting or referendum due to restrictions imposed by the Governor’s Executive Order.

After approving a total budget of $5,291,918, which would raise the mill rate from 25.82 to 25.83, the finance board set the mill rate at 25.5, applying some of the approximate $75,000 surplus from the current year’s appropriation after Treasurer Ellen Rodriguez reported that the undesignated fund is currently 21% of the operating budget. The recommended amount is 12% -14% as the State uses that figure to determine need in awarding grants to municipalities.

The finance board approved a $2,104,318 elementary school budget on May 13, rejecting the Board of Education’s proposal for a 3.99% increase in spite of appeals from parents that the school’s request remain intact. The board cited difficult economic times and inevitable decreases in state funding for maintaining a level spending plan, as well as per pupil costs which are among the highest in the state. The finance board also rejected a decrease per the minimum budget requirement, a standard for the past decade, which would have lowered the elementary school budget by an additional $192,000 this year, due to unanticipated special education costs and unknown Covid-19 costs resulting from potential State mandates. Hampton’s assessment for Regional District#11, approved per the executive order by their school board, represents $1,512,507 of the budget.

After the public hearing, the finance board added $25,000 to the municipal budget in a line item created for Covid-19 related expenses which officials expect will be reimbursed with state or federal funds. Reductions were also made, with the finance board concurring with all but three of First Selectman Al Cahill’s recommendations on cuts. Members did not agree to negate the $10,000 annual funding of the Land Acquisition account, a stipulation when the account was created at a Town Meeting, questioning the legality of failing to fund it in any given year.

The second proposal the finance board rejected was Cahill’s recommendation to deny the Seniors organization the additional $2000 requested. Representatives from the organization advocated for additional funds as participation has increased to 60 – 70 seniors attending the luncheons, which have also doubled, and to purchase needed kitchen equipment. A heated debate occurred during the Audience for Citizens when Lisa Grady spoke passionately about the Town’s financial and moral obligations to our elderly residents, claiming that needs extend beyond monthly luncheons. The increase in participants has strengthened the network that provides additional services to elderly residents whose families are not near, she said. Cahill countered that with the $4300 in their checkbook, the Seniors organization is sufficiently funded with $2000 this year. “The greatest generation who survived two World Wars and a Depression must be rolling in their graves,” he said. “They never asked for money and they never asked questions. We’ve become a culture of victims and I think it’s pathetic.” Though there was some discussion among board members, a motion was never entertained to reduce the Seniors’ request.

Cahill’s other suggestion, to eliminate the Board of Finance’s entire budget of $5825, “if BOF is rescinded”, was not discussed, so it remains unclear as to how Cahill proposed to abolish the Board of Finance prior to, or shortly after, the start of the fiscal year. At a January 6, 2020 referendum, voters rejected the Selectmen’s proposal to rescind the ordinance that established the Board of Finance in a 172-254 vote. At the time, Cahill announced his intent to “wait and see how this year’s budget process goes before determining future action,” and by all accounts, the adoption of the municipal budget was a smooth process, in spite of complications from Covid-19 expenses and restrictions. However, in April, before budget deliberations began, Cahill announced his intent to call for another vote to dismantle the Board of Finance, citing their “debilitating dysfunction, political biases and ignorance.”

“Sunny Crest” was never sunnier than on Sunday, May 24, when dozens of residents, bearing bouquets and cards and greetings, formed a parade of vehicles decorated with balloons and ribbons and banners to wish Josephine Dauphin a Happy 100^th Birthday! Fire trucks from Hampton, Chaplin, Scotland and Brooklyn, lights flashing and sirens blaring, were interspersed with the festive cars and festooned trucks.

Born on May 27, 1920, Josephine is one of the members of an exclusive club of ninety-year-olds honored in last September’s issue; she has the distinction of being the oldest. Josephine has lived in Hampton since 1959, when she and her husband, Fred, and their daughters, Shirley and Carol, moved here from Providence and to the place fittingly called “Sunny Crest”. Apparently, we were the first family in town to greet them. Carol and I were only two, yet she remembers – she can still see my mother where she remembers us standing.

It’s interesting, the things we remember. My earliest memory of Sunny Crest is an image of the one dark moment the property has known –when I viewed the site where the original house burned to the ground. I was probably five, and it was the first time I saw the remnants of a fire where only the chimney remained after lightning struck the house. The image impressed me deeply – I can still see it, though it’s no longer there. I knew what lightning was, and it was the first time I understood the devastation it could cause, and the overwhelming loss of a home.

After that fire, buildings, families and happiness sprang up on the property. Josephine’s birthday was just the latest of many celebrations. The Dauphin family hosted our classes’ graduation party. Carol reminds me that it was on June 13, 1975, Friday the 13^th, though that didn’t seem to adversely affect our futures. We reflect on how well our whole class got a long, how our own children can’t quite believe us when we tell them that – of how respectful we were of one another, of how tolerant we were of one another’s differences. But we were. And still consider ourselves blessed because of it.

Earlier memories are of playing in the pastures that reminded me of the farm in “Charlotte’s Web”, of running around the vast acreage, the latest dance moves we learned from Shirley, the wonderful food their mother cooked and their father’s twinkly smile. Carol reminds me of our misadventures – such as the time we crawled through the culvert under the pavement to see what that was like. My name is carved in the barn – though I don’t remember that rural form of vandalism. I do remember playing in the barn, and especially the horse that lived there. Everyone remembers Rebel, a beautiful pinto – buckskin – Tennessee Walker.

Rebel lived in the room under the barn. According to historian Bob Burgoyne, the barn at Sunny Crest is an English bank barn, built in the mid to late 19th century, 1860-1870. English bank barns were built into a bank or berm, allowing for an animal refuge under the barn. The foundation is dry-laid stone, very impressive, though the flat stones appear to be typical of neighboring Brooklyn rather than native Hampton stone.

The property was once part of the Kenyon Farm, which encompassed much of the area. There was an old apple orchard in the pasture where two apple trees still remain. Otto Schierioth built the house that Josephine still lives in when the original homestead was struck by lightning and burned down. Though the chimney and its rubble have long since been removed, the site is still visible in the center of the trees Otto planted to circle the house. These, too, remain, extremely tall pines now, as testaments to Mr. Schierioth’s life here, contributing, along with the elevation of the hill, to Carol’s assertion that “lightning is still frightening at this place”.

Peggy Fox, who lived across the road at the farm that is now Trailwood, vaguely remembers Otto, who was from Germany, she recalls. She also remembers the next owners, the Griswolds. Arthur Griswold substantially added onto the house and built the garage when he retired to Hampton after serving as East Providence’s Fire Chief. The Dauphins, and their extended family, lived in Providence, and Mr. Griswold was a friend of Josephine’s sister-in-law. When he died, the Dauphins decided to look at the place, an easier commute to Pratt &Whitney where Fred was employed. This is how they discovered Hampton, and the “Sunny Crest” they instantly fell in love with.

The two elderly widows who were their neighbors in Providence were distraught at the thought of the Dauphin family moving away, so Fred, after soliciting their approval, converted the garage into a house for them to rent. It was wonderful having these older “aunts”, Caroline and Lena, living next to them, Carol says.

This little red house has a history, too. Among the tenants were Diane and Bill Becker. “I had given up our apartment to join my husband who was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia,” Diane recalls.  “I became pregnant, and when my Bill was reassigned, the Army felt my pregnancy was a travel risk and wouldn’t allow me to move on with him.  I went home to live with my parents.  One day, my sister came home from visiting with Shirley and said Mr. and Mrs. Dauphin wondered if I would like to move into their rental house.  I jumped at the opportunity and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.  They were the best landlords and nicest neighbors one could have.  While I have many wonderful memories of our five years there, perhaps my favorite is when Bill got a last minute week-end pass.  His brother, Frank, picked him up at the airport and they pulled in at 2 o’clock in the morning.  Almost immediately, Mr. Dauphin had his floodlights on, lighting up the whole area.   While embarrassed to have disturbed his sleep, we were overcome with such gratitude that this incredibly kind man was watching out for me and our baby, and when Bill left, he left with a greater peace of mind that we would always be watched over until his discharge.  Ferdinand Dauphin – how I’ve missed that man!”

Carol and her husband, James Kilburn, built the log cabin on the property where they raised their two children, Jenny and James, who are still close. Jenny, a wildlife biologist, rents the little red house now, and James, a local mechanic, is a volunteer with our fire department, serving since he was a teenager, here in town and travelling to assist with the forest fires of the west when needed. He, too, wishes to remain in Hampton and preferably on the property. And so it appears as though Sunny Crest will remain in the capable hands of the family who has cared for it for sixty years, maintaining the buildings, the grounds, and the neighborliness which was exhibited with the celebration of Josephine’s 100th year.

One-hundred years. These recent times serve to remind us of all the events previous generations have experienced, tragedies and triumphs alike. Two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, countless inventions and cures, new cultures arriving on our shores, new laws to govern us with greater equity. Josephine — whose family emigrated from Italy, who lost a brother in World War II and another sibling during the pandemic in the early 1900’s — was born the year women gained the right to vote.

We salute you, Josephine Dauphin – and wish for you many more memories on Sunny Crest.

Dayna McDermott

To the Editor:

As a retired police officer of 22 years, I was sickened by the video depicting the brutal death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers. While I may not know the reason for Mr. Floyd’s arrest, the actions of these four officers is reprehensible. Police brutality like this, or of any other sort, is unacceptable.

It is also unacceptable that incidents like this continue to lead to the deaths of men and women in our country. Police officers take an oath to “serve and protect” their communities. This oath is not bound by race, gender or creed. The safety and well-being of all community members should be the main objective of any person who wears a badge. As such, racism has no place among law enforcement, or anywhere else in our nation. I challenge the many other upstanding men and women in law enforcement to call out racism in any form: hold your colleagues accountable. All police officers, unions and administrations must be held accountable to prevent further senseless killings—killings of the very citizens that they are bound to protect and serve.

In Connecticut, we have always taken the matter of police conduct and public safety very seriously. In 2015, the legislature passed a bipartisan bill that addressed this matter. Also, last year the legislature took meaningful steps to address the use of force and accountability through the passage and signing into law of Senate Bill 380; I was proud to support this important legislation. This was a bipartisan bill and is a significant measure to hold police officers accountable for their actions. However, we must continue this conversation so that there are not any more tragic incidents like that of Mr. Floyd, and his death is not in vain.

As I mentioned earlier, racism and injustice have no place in our society. As a free nation, let us not forget a key tenet that ultimately unites us: “…liberty and justice for all.”

State Senator Dan Champagne (R-35)

I used to be very sheltered.
I used to not understand that racial injustice was still something people of color faced in our country every day.
I used to think we had gotten over that long ago. I used to think that everyone knew — the color of someone’s skin does not define who they are.
I used to have no idea that black people were mercilessly killed by the police because they were viewed as “threats” — because of what they looked like.
Now that I’m seeing that for myself, all over the internet, covered in the words that come out of people’s mouths, I feel a lot of things.
I feel shocked.
I feel sick.
I feel scared.
I feel angry.
I feel sad.
I think the killing of George Floyd has brought many of us to the attention of this raging violence against black people. I think it has left many of us desperately wanting to make an impact; to take action against the racism swallowing our country whole; and I think it has left many of us feeling helpless. Feeling small against the enormity of everything that is happening in our world.
It’s hard for me to lay out all my thoughts clean and clear,
But I think it’s important for us to discuss how we feel; what we know; what we believe. I think it’s important for us to share what we’ve seen with our families and with our friends. I think it’s important to be vocal about this online and/or in other environments. I think it’s important to educate ourselves and use our knowledge in meaningful ways — to spread the word. I think it’s important to add our names to petitions and maybe make a donation here or there to a black lives matter cause.
I think it’s important to learn what we can do to help. And I think all these things can make a big difference.
Here’s something I know.
I know that all of our voices together can change the world.
I know we all can join together on this, no matter who we are. The black people that have been murdered deserve justice and the love from each of our hearts; the protests from every single one of us, can give them just that.
I don’t know very much, but I know I don’t want to be silent. I want to be loud. I want to be loud against the injustice and I want justice for black people to come alive EVERYWHERE.
I hope you will be loud, too.

Greta Garner

My father gave us two rules:

“don’t trust white people,

don’t trust cops.

Say ‘yes sir, no sir’.

Run when you can”.

And we always ran.

They’d ask us why we ran.

What did we do?

Why run if you did nothing wrong?

I wish I could ask them to look down at their hands and back at mine.

What was the difference?

They brandish a gun and their skin is invisible.

I hold nothing,

yet my skin,

soiled with a shade that has represented evil since the beginning of time.

Of course you’re afraid!

What if I stained you and your pretty little porcelain world?

Though I think you forgot

that it was formed from the blood of my ancestors,

a still beating heart that is aching for our lives to matter enough that you let us walk on by,

Still breathing.

India Arriola 

This poem is written through the perspective of my father, inspired by conversations I’ve had with him over the years, and very recently, as to what he’s faced throughout his life.

Since no one is traveling very far for their summer vacations this year, we decided to publish a list of places in Connecticut to explore, compliments of Linda Seretny Navin. Too often we neglect our natural surroundings; this is an opportunity to explore our own back yard.

Wadsworth Falls: A nature preserve on the Coginchaug River in Middletown, this 3.7 mile loop trail features a renowned waterfall.

Saville Dam: A half-mile long and 135 feet high, this “architectural marvel” in Barkhamsted is a perfect spot for a picnic, along the sweeping curve of the earth embankment overlooking Lake McDonough.

Hubbard Park: At an elevation of 976, one can view Long Island Sound to the south and the Berkshires to the north from the 32 foot Castle Craig stone observation tower.
Charles Island: Located a half mile off the coast of Silver Sands Beach in Milford, visitors have a two hour window to cross a tombolo only visible when the water recedes at low tide to reach this island with its storied past.

Indian Rock Shelters Trail: This one mile loop trail in Madison features, among streams and woodlands, two natural rock shelter home sites of early native Americans.

Enders State Forest: Granby offers hundreds of acres of trails in forests, along wetlands, and most famously featuring Enders Falls.

Drake Hill Road Bridge: A bridge of flowers in Simsbury built in 1892, it is one of the three surviving Parker truss bridges in the state and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Gungywamp: This enigmatic area in Groton is a complex of stone structures containing Native American artifacts and colonial and Early American structures, a source of much speculation.

Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center: This Milford Point refuge offers barrier beaches, salt marshes, tide pools, coastal dunes, a boardwalk and three observation platforms, including a 70 foot tower.

James Joseph Ryan passed away on June 4^th in the 86^th year of his life. Born on June 5, 1933 in Washington D.C., he was an army veteran who served in France in the 1950’s, later graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Loras College where he then taught. Moving to New York City, he attended Columbia University to study design and enjoyed a long and successful career working as a scenic designer for CBS and later as the business manager for the United Scenic Artists Union. After retiring, he moved to Hampton.

Jim was a presence in town. He volunteered at Fletcher Memorial Library for many years with knowledge and friendliness. He served on the editorial board of the Gazette, and as its Chairman, approaching matters with pragmatism and integrity. Socially conscious, he generously supported humanitarian causes and questioned authority at town meetings when necessary. And we all remember his daily constitutional to the post office, the library, and the General Store with his two Westie terriers. Jim walked “humbly over the earth”. Few were aware of his illustrious career. We would always ask if he was ready for an article or an interview for “Coming to Hampton”, and he would smile and reply – still considering it. He valued his privacy.

Jim Ryan was a gentleman in every sense of the word and he will be missed. Our condolences to all who knew and loved him.

The article titled “BUDGET HEARING “ZOOMS” FOR JUNE 10”, that appears on page 4 in this months Gazette incorrectly states that the Board of Finance Public Hearing on June 10, 2020 is to be at 7:00 PM. Please note that the public hearing is at 6:00 PM, followed by the Board of Finance regular meeting at 7:00 PM.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! What extraordinary and historic times you’ve experienced this year — know that your next steps have been strengthened because of these last few. Good luck to you all on your continued journey in this ever-changing, unpredictable, and, above all, glorious world!

Congratulations as well to the following students who graduated from Hampton Elementary School: Jayden Bora, Mariah Brousseau, Conner Bushey, Carson Evans, Kason Evans, Evan Gendreau, Brooke Lemire, Laylaa Melendez, Jadiell Ramos, Dax Sforza, Cole Smat, Chase Stevenson and Makayla Thornton.

Please send news of your college graduates to: hamptongazette@yahoo.com. We always, and especially this year, wish to acknowledge their accomplishments.

A virtual public hearing on the Town Government and Elementary School budgets for FY2020-2021 is scheduled for June 10 at 7PM. The meeting identification and passcode will be included on the agenda to be posted at Town Hall and on the Town website so that citizens can participate in the hearing electronically. This is the first year that taxpayers will not be able to approve the spending plans at the Annual Town Meeting or at referendum. Per the Governor’s Executive Orders, the Board of Finance, the Town’s fiscal authority, must approve both budgets this year due to the pandemic and consequent restrictions on large crowds.

Per the executive order, regional school districts were responsible for approving their own budgets, and RD #11 adopted theirs at an April 28 meeting with a $62,231, or .97% increase over last year. The budget represents a $16,720, or 1.12% increase to Hampton’s assessment, which is based on the number of students attending Parish Hill Middle/High School from each of the sending towns.

The finance board voted 4-2 to approve an elementary school budget level with last year’s appropriation at a May 13 meeting. Seven letters from residents, and several parents who participated in the meeting electronically, voiced their support for the budget the school adopted, which represented a 3.99% increase. But a vote to approve the proposal failed, 2-4. In deciding on a level budget, board members pointed to the economic ramifications of the pandemic both to taxpayers and to the town. Diane Gagnon spoke of the educational and financial uncertainties facing communities, Kathi Newcombe reminded members that the Town expects an additional 20% reduction in State funding this year, and Kathy Donahue reported that the State is predicting a $2billion deficit, which will adversely affect grant revenue in the future.

The town’s history of referenda on school budgets also figured into the decision. Member Perry Matchinis said he spoke for the 1100 voters who were unable to attend the meeting and are unable to vote this year, noting that, with the exception of one year, taxpayers for the last decade have only approved spending plans that were level with, or less than, the preceding year. Ms. Newcombe stated that, because taxpayers cannot vote this year, the Board of Finance is their “last line of defense”.

Though member Ed Adelman argued that there’s ample support for educational spending among townspeople, many parents who spoke accused Hampton taxpayers of not caring about education, a notion furthered by member Nick Brown who reminded members that the town is spending less on education than was spent in 2012. He concurred with the parents who stated that families are leaving because they feel the town is not spending enough on education. But most of the board members, armed with research, took exception with that characterization. Ms. Newcombe stated that taxpayer support for education is evident in the town’s $25,640 per-pupil costs, compared to the State average of $17,438, noting that Hampton ranks 8^th highest in the State for educational spending. Ms. Donahue reported that the ratio of instructional staff to students is 4.5: 1, as compared to the State average of 12:1. And Mr. Matchinis stated that the school’s reports to the State Department of Education reveal that Full Time Equivalent staff for 2001 was 25.8 for a population of 182 students, while in 2018-2019, the FTE was 26.5 for a student population of 90.

Spending was not the only consideration. Board members were surprised to discover that first and second graders, students in grades three and four, and fifth and sixth graders were not grouped together, as was the plan presented at the start of the school year. Multi-aged groupings were developed for the school due to decreases in population that resulted in 7-12 students per grade, which was viewed as an unhealthy cohort, socially and academically. Though school board Chairman Rose Bisson identified multi-aged groupings as the best model for the school, she said the school community “was not yet ready” to implement the program in spite of professional development totaling $120,000 in the last two years. Superintendent Frank Olah affirmed that staffing with a level budget could fund one teacher per multi-aged classroom, and one additional teacher to provide services in each of those classrooms for children in need of additional assistance.

It was smooth sailing for the approval of the Town Government budget at a May 20 meeting, with the boards of Finance and Selectmen consulting and concurring on the various line items. Town departments were frugal with their requests, and most of the capital accounts were not funded this year, a practice during difficult economic times in prior years. First Selectman Allan Cahill said the Selectmen were employing a “minimalist approach” this year, assuring members that the town’s roads and infrastructure are in “good shape”. It was decided that, if a major purchase becomes necessary, money from the General Fund could be transferred, or a loan could be secured as rates are at an all-time low.

With Hampton’s assessment for RD#11 at $1,512,507, the elementary school budget at $2,104,318, and the Town Government at $1,657,995, the overall FY2020-21 budget proposal is $5,274,820. The budget will be finalized, and the mill rate set, after Town officials present their budgets and the public presents their views at the Public Hearing.