News
Gray's
budget increase too big, citizens say
By Elizabeth Prata
Gray-About a dozen citizens turned up at the Council's
budget informational public hearing to say that the
proposed municipal budget increase is too big. They
also stated concerns about the town's pattern of unabated
fiscal growth and taxation. The budget as proposed
reflects a 13.9% increase over last year, although
the impact will be completely offset-this year- with
withdrawal from the Undesignated Fund Balance to pay
for one-time expenditures.
Janet Neal of Gray asked that the one-time expenditures,
including a public works vehicle, paying off the Post
office building debt, and others, be extracted from
the budget and proposed to citizens as separate warrant
items. "That way, it's not a take it or leave
it approach, because I'd probably leave it."
Many of the citizens expressed concerns with the warrant
article asking for $200,000 for a "Town Office
Center."
They asked the Council for more information as to
the costs associated with moving or expanding the
Town Offices. Vice-Chair Richard Barter, chairing
the meeting in Chair Pam Wilkinson's absence, said
that the Town Office Center is not site-driven. No
site for an expanded Town office Center has been chosen
as yet. No work schedule has been offered as to the
costs of any option under scrutiny for an expanded
or new town office.
Space is a problem at current Town Office, the Council
has said, and a committee was established two years
ago to study options. Expanding current town office
was one option, connecting to the old Post office
building was another, building new was a third option,
and moving in the SAD 15-owned Pennell institute was
also explored.
The proposed municipal budget, if passed, would pay
off the Post Office and the taxpayers would own the
building, located next to Town Office on Shaker Road,
free and clear.
Bringing the currently empty Pennell building up to
code and retrofitting for municipal habitation would
cost a minimum if 1.5 to 2 million dollars, according
to the Sewell Report, an engineering firm hired by
the town to assess the historic building.
Moving several departments into the Post Office and
keeping three departments in the current Town office
next door would likely cost $100,000.
Neal said that she was nervous about the Town Office
Center warrant. "It is a big expenditure and
I see it as the start of a mega-town office. I'd vote
yes for a warrant article asking for $200,000 for
the Post office but I would not support the warrant
as currently worded, in such a vague way."
Andrew Upham said that he cannot support the Town
Office Center warrant until he sees a fully developed
plan that demonstrates the scope of work.
John Welch wanted to know if town employees contribute
to their health benefits. Berkowitz said that employees
receive 100% of their health benefits but that next
year "their contribution would be an essential
part of budget-building."
Welch also said that the Town has historically underestimated
revenues and that he hoped that this year the Manager
and Council would bring the estimates in closer to
the target. Underestimating revenues "overtaxes
us more than necessary. Is there an effort underway
to close the gap in revenue estimates?" Welch
asked.
Barter said that "revenue projections were substantially
adjusted this year to be close to the mark."
Mike Salvetti showed the audience and Council a graph
(see below) that reflected the growth of municipal
budgets over an eighteen year period. Salvetti said
that the last three years, under Manager Berkowitz's
direction, the municipal budget increase alone equaled
the total 1988 budget. He advocated for less growth.
Alison Brown reiterated Salvetti's remarks, saying
that the budget has doubled over the last six years,
if the currently proposed budget passes.
"This is a lot to expect the taxpayers to bear.
Do you think the taxpayers will continue to support
you at this rate of doubling every five years?"
Councilor Lynn Olson answered, "Well…historically,
they have."
Brown rejoined, "Well, we'll see about that."
The
first year is 1988. The last year is proposed 2004-05.
The missing year, 1993-94, is because information
was missing from Town Files. The short year, called
'transition', is when the Town went from a claendar
year to a fiscal year, so it reflects only 6 months
of budget year. The source of information is from
Town Reports and files. The Consumer Price Index is
only to indicate a trend-line.
