If You Got It, Spend It

As anyone who follows this blog knows I believe in a level funded budget, meaning it shouldn’t go up every year. You know, like you do at home where you have to either spend less each year or the same as you did last year since your income more than likely hasn’t risen.

We have created a culture where we automatically think because state law allows us to raise taxes 2 ½ % each year we have to do it. Why? Because we can? How about we not raise taxes and keep the budget the same as last year? And here is a another unique concept, we’ll take any extra money we might take in and pay down the debt, or maybe keep it for emergencies.

Now I know what you’re thinking, “But Paul, what about all the raises for all our underpaid town employees? You know there are contracts out there.” Yes there is, so maybe, just maybe we’ll have to cut somewhere else.Let's look at the warrant, shall we?

How about using the $169,000 requested in Article 15 for a new dump truck for the highway department wages, or the $74,000 in Article 14 for 2 new police cruisers and the $14,000 for the Lucas Chest Compression system, the $13, 920 for a new phone system and the $25,000 for the commercial tourist district plan in Article 12 for some of these raises?

By the way is the tourist district plan in Article 12 the same as the tourist district plan in Article 13? We seem to need another $120,000 for it there as well. What exactly is the tourist district plan anyway?

Vote Yes on Article 4.

And then wayyyyyyyy down at the bottom of the warrant, the very last one in fact, there is this gem:

ARTICLE 31
CITIZEN PETITION – PURCHASE 310 MAIN ST.
To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Free Cash the sum of THREE HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($315,000.00) to purchase property and buildings located at 310 Main Street in Sturbridge; or take any action in relation thereto.Sponsor: Citizen Petition

Yup, $315,000 for a building the town doesn’t need. $315,000 for a piece of land and a building which is maybe worth half that. For what? Why do we need it? Don’t tell me the new offices we built in the Town Hall and Centre School are already cramped and outdated? Honestly?

Vote NO on Article 31.

I can't wait to look at the actual budget.