Some Uneasy About Spending Taxpayer Money

The town of Greenwich, CT -- one of several communities to rally against the FAA's proposed rerouting of New York-area airline traffic -- now appears to be reconsidering its role in a lawsuit against the federal agency.

In November, the town of Greenwich -- along with 10 other communities in Fairfield County, and the state itself -- sued the FAA in the US Court of Appeals for the Second District of New York. Complaints in the lawsuit include allegations the FAA did not adequately investigate the noise and environmental impact of sending airliners over the towns.

That was then... and this is now. The Greenwich Time reports several Greenwich members of the committee formed by the towns to pursue those complaints are now having second thoughts, in particular regarding the cost of pursuing the legal battle.

"At this point in time, I personally have a number of reservations about continuing the lawsuit," said Erica Purnell, co-chairman of the Selectmen's Advisory Committee on Aircraft Noise.

To date, Greenwich has approved spending $64,100 on attorneys fees, and to lobby lawmakers. That amount was reduced slightly when three other municipalities joined the battle... but with a $27,500 payment due in February, and another $23,400 due in July, some are questioning the continued use of taxpayer dollars, to fight what may amount to a Pyrrhic victory at best.

It's unlikely Greenwich will pull its support of the committee before the June 30 end of the fiscal year, according to First Selectman Peter Tesei... who took flak from his opponent during recent elections for his call for Greenwich to perform a cost-benefit analysis before joining in the lawsuit.

"It's not an open-ended commitment," he said. "Any future commitment would have to be determined after assessing where they stand with the case... Clearly, people know where my sentiments were prior to assuming office. I don't believe we're the only municipality whose leaders and decision-makers are being cautious with our commitment."

Despite her concerns, Purnell says the lawsuit has already paid dividends, by bringing greater attention to the area's plight. The issue has landed on the desk of President Bush, and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal... who then filed his own lawsuit on behalf of Connecticut against the FAA. As ANN reported, the Government Accountability Office also said it would take a closer look at the FAA's plans.

Those are examples of why Greenwich should continue to support the coalition for now, asserts Democratic Selectman Lin Lavery.

"We should re-examine it as we go, but, right now, we've made a commitment, and we should stay with it," he said. "I think it's extremely important that we have a seat at the table and that we support the other communities in this lawsuit. We have to be aware of what this is going to mean for our community."

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.gao.gov