The Darien Times

Depot’s services cause rift in budget talks

Written by Susan Shultz
Thursday, February 16, 2012 03:00 PM

With $30,000 cut for the town's Youth Options, the discussion was over adding an additional $12,000 to the Depot's already approximately $40,000 allocated in the 2012-13 budget.

Monica Billeter, Depot co-president, spoke the board about what the Depot does and how the extra money could be put to good use.

"Kids come to the Depot because they know they can trust someone and they're going to get help," she said.

Billeter said most of the Depot's programs come to be to meet a need, whether it be for empowerment or education.

Program director Janice Marzano said the youth services at the Depot are always growing and the teen center serves a need, a resource for kids who won't go anywhere else in need.

"Around here, we serve as the youth service bureau — every kid needs someone to talk to, and we are making more and more programs to accommodate," Marzano said.

And those programs have now reached past the high school down to middle school, with four programs for Middlesex kids that already have waiting lists.

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, who previously served as one of the Depot's co-presidents, reminded the board that most of the programs the Depot offers are at no cost to participants.

She also pointed out that while the Depot leases its location at the Noroton Heights train station for $1, the teen center is responsible for all of the building's maintenance.

Marzano said the Depot can provide more financial backup to justify the additional money but "we need it."

"We can show you where it is going, and show you the kids' lives we change down there," she said.

Democratic Selectman John Lundeen took issue with some of the statements, saying it "is not fair to say you are the only youth organization in town."

He cited church groups and other non-profit organizations, such as scouting, which he said are also in dire straits financially.

Stevenson said the Depot is a "hybrid organization" that is mandated by the state to refer social service issues and works to coordinate community service, rather than simply serving a social function.

Democratic Selectman David Bayne said he wanted to know what the town would be getting in return in terms of additional services for that added money.

Stevenson said additional accountability would be a good thing for the Depot, but added that the Depot has already been increasing services due to lapses in Youth Options and this would effectively make up for that.

Lundeen pointed out that he thought Stevenson was going to stay out of Depot discussions and a vote given her past involvement.

Stevenson responded by saying she had considered it, but because she had no financial stake in the outcome and that she can provide additional inside information on the teen center, she stayed in it.

Stevenson also pointed out that other selectmen have stayed in discussions that they have had some personal interest in the past, but did not specify.

Republican Selectmen Dave Campbell and Jerry Nielsen supported the additional funding, with Campbell saying in his tenure as first selectmen last term, the Depot deals with many problems in town that most don't know about.

"Rather than look at it as what are we getting for our greater investment, look at it as what they are already providing without getting compensated," Stevenson said.

Bruce Orr, chairman of the Representative Town Meeting's Finance & Budget Committee, pointed out that some of the added costs for the Board of Education budget, including a social worker, are also a resource for troubled youth.

Bayne told The Darien Times Wednesday that in light of Orr's comments, maybe overlapping in services should be looked at. He also said if the Depot has been providing services that would otherwise be provided by the town's Social Services department, an examination should be undertaken to see which facility could provide it more cost effectively.

"All of this was brought to our attention for the first time at Monday's meeting and I did not feel I had enough information to support this proposed grant increase," he said, adding the board is entitled to see a budget from the Depot as a "quasi Town Department."

Alicia Sillars, the Depot's former and first executive director, said the Depot offers such a variety of social and community outreach programs that it proves to be a valuable resource for almost any teen.

Lundeen told The Darien Times on Wednesday that the Depot already is funded by the town budget and there are a number of other youth organizations that are purely financed by private contributions.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen Falcone told The Darien Times that the Depot provides students with "an opportunity to take on leadership roles, work with adults and make a valuable contribution to the well-being of the Darien community."

He also said the Depot has a very broad reach, where other town groups have a more specific focus or set of goals.

The additional funding for the Depot passed with the budget, with the selectmen saying the Board of Finance can discuss further or ask for additional backup from the teen center during its budget discussions.

Stevenson also asked that the Depot report efforts, programming updates and additions as well as finances to the Board of Selectmen on a regular basis going forward.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously adopted a $41.3 million budget Monday night, representing a 6.4% increase in town spending.

sshultz@darientimes.com

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