Editorial

To spend or not to spend?

It was refreshing to hear New Gloucester Selectmen Steve Libby's comment at Monday night's meeting that the Selectmen should not set aside the intent of the Question One statewide Tax Cap question just because it was defeated at the polls. He commented that the referendum had much citizen support and that its defeat is not a signal to continue to spend as usual. He called for moderation in New Gloucester's budget development process this winter.

Too often, a referendum defeat at the polls is a harbinger of release for officials to allow the pendulum to swing the other way, sort of like an elastic that's been stretched too long and snaps the away when let loose.

It is welcome to hear at least one elected Board chair call for post-election mindfulness to both sides of a referendum issue. On the one side, Libby stated that the Capital Investment Plan projects should be funded and programs already in place maintained, indicating commitment to those constituents who want municipal government to continue on certain paths. On the other side, his commitment to not allow more than a 0% increase in the budget overall indicates respect for those who supported a tax cap or who want to limit government spending.

That New Gloucester can maintain its equilibrium between and among competing constituent and municipal Department interests and the fiscal realities of the cost of government today will be the test during its budget development.

Citizens, participate in the process. Let your officials know what your municipal needs and desires are, attend budget meetings, call or e-mail the Town Manager or Selectmen Chair Libby. The more they know your thoughts the better they can balance the Town's needs on an overall scale.

Contact information for all of New Gloucester's officials is on the Agendas page toward the bottom.