Representative Town Meeting Representatives could reject this year’s budget and the 12.1% increase in municipal property taxes.
Charter prohibitions prevent representatives from telling the Selectboard what specifically to cut, but they can tell them to cut the budget by any amount, and can strongly suggest what needs to be trimmed by the board.
Representatives are in a unique position this year, though. Voters rejected two incumbents that created this budget and replaced them, and the Chair that led this budget process stepped aside and was replaced. If voters had had the chance, the remaining two Selectboard members might have been tossed, too.
Three new Selectboard members coming on board at the same time doesn’t happen every year.
If Representatives hand the Selectboard a rejected budget, the three new members get a crack at it. Three can outvote two. The three new members could be given the chance to change things significantly. Property taxes could be brought down.
The resistance to change will be weaker at the Municipal level, too, than in some years. The assistant Town Manager arguing the official Town position will not be there. The Finance Director will not be there.
This all adds up to be an unusual opportunity for Representative Town Meeting and the new board members.
A property tax reduction isn’t a guarantee by any means, but it is a possibility. New board members would have to stick together. They would have to resist a Town Manager leaning heavily on them to not make big changes. It might be wise for new Selectboard members to consult with trusted former board members rather than rely solely on Town staff about what can be done and how to accomplish it. But it can be done.
