Newtown to spend last of Sandy Hook donations

Ribbons for sale and personal donations lie in a basket in Everything Newtown souvenir shop in Newtown, Conn. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. It has been more than two months since 20 students and six staff members were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the community is still recovering. less Ribbons for sale and personal donations lie in a basket in Everything Newtown souvenir shop in Newtown, Conn. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. It has been more than two months since 20 students and six staff members ... more Photo: Tyler Sizemore Photo: Tyler Sizemore Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Newtown to spend last of Sandy Hook donations 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

NEWTOWN — Town leaders have agreed to spend what little remains of $1 million in donations that poured into Town Hall from well-wishers touched by the Sandy Hook school shootings nearly three years ago.

The remaining $17,500 will be awarded to a parent group that supports the high school marching band, subject to approval by the town Board of Finance.

“It is a small amount of money, and it is a meritorious request,” First Selectwoman Pat Llodra said on Monday.

“Part of our consideration was we are more than 2 1/2 years out now from the tragedy, and we really ought to spend this money down.”

Deciding how to spend the last of the donated money under town control was not as straightforward as it might seem.

The process became complicated when members of the Newtown High School Band and Guard Parent Board came to Town Hall to ask if Newtown could maintain and insure a $25,000 box truck the group wanted to buy for the band’s weekly road trips.

The parent group, which rents U-Haul trucks to transport the band equipment to regional competitions, said the purchase would save money. The parents are raising about $150,000 annually to pay for the program.

Town Finance Director Robert Tait, who knew of the $17,500 remaining in the town’s Sandy Hook Special Revenue Fund, knew of dollars remaining in similar donation funds controlled by the Board of Education — about $4,500 in an account called “schools” and $3,000 more in an account called “children.”

Tait suggested combining what was left in the three accounts to cover the band parents’ $25,000 truck purchase.

The only problem was when the school board was approached about the idea during a meeting in mid-August, board members said they were not aware of the remaining money in the small funds. Some balked at having to vote on the spot about something they had just learned about.

The school board voted 3-2 to against awarding the $7,500 in its control to the band parents.

Although band parents said they were not requesting town funds — only that the town maintain and insure the vehicle — the Board of Selectmen determined it was an appropriate use for the money.

The remaining $17,500 was in an account the town created for donations that came with no specific spending instructions, except the town use its discretion. Another $800,000 that came in with specific spending requests went for such purposes as a Sandy Hook memorial.

That undesignated account started with $194,000. Over the last two years, the town has used that fund to pay for police overtime at the schools, for additional training for summer camp staff, for video surveillance equipment and technology upgrades.

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously last week to award the last $17,500 from that undesignated account to the band parents. The Board of Finance could vote to approve the expenditure at its meeting next week.

Scott Reiss, a member of the band parents’ executive board, said the town’s award was a welcome show of support for the work volunteers do for high school students.

The fact that the money is not from the town but from the hearts of strangers is even more encouraging, Reiss said.

“That is what makes it so special,” he said.