Expanding on a practice of the last several years, Bob Oeser and David Levenbach have planned to host two forums for District 9 (formerly District 3) residents, the first once the Town Manager has issued a budget proposal for consideration by the Selectboard and the second shortly before Representative Town Meeting after the Selectboard has approved a recommended budget and the other warned items are known.
Town Manager Potter discussed the Administration’s “base budget” proposal at the Nov 5 Selectboard meeting (a base budget involves no new services and no new staff positions but does include normal adjustments for inflation, contract obligations for unionized employees, capital expenditures for equipment and projects, and lesser things). Funding that proposal would necessitate a 14% increase in property taxes. This base budget did not include municipal expenses associated with the new waste management program, an issue still to be resolved, but the Selectboard told Administration that it wanted the most costly possible outcome (to the tune of $1.4 million) included in the base budget. That would mean potentially a 22% increase in property taxes.
At the same time, members of the Selectboard identified several ways to adjust the base budget downwards, and members of the public suggested other potential savings. Even so, these seem only marginal changes.
Citizens should also recognize that there may be a substantial increase in the State education tax over which the Town has no say.
We would like to hear District 9 residents’ questions, thoughts, concerns, and suggestions at this District forum, which we have encouraged District 9 RTM members to attend. The forum will be held in the Selectboard meeting room on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 230 Main Street, at 2 pm on Sunday, 17 November. (Enter from the rear of the building where there is an elevator available.)
For more information, contact fideladelphia@gmail.com or robt.oeser@gmail.com.
