Guest Editorial

Opposition to proposed increase in town budget
Commentary by Alison A. Brown

The proposed Gray Town Budget for next year has an increase of 7.5% over last year's budget. A look at the chart showing percent change in budgets of other towns in the region shows Gray has the 2nd highest increase of neighboring towns. Only Windham is higher, and they are paying for a new school. Gray is not paying for a new school - the proposed budget does not even include funds to repair the schools we have, and we know that bill is coming due any day now.

New Gloucester reduced their budget by about the same amount Gray increased theirs. Gray should be able to do the same thing.

Voters in Gray have been told that the 7.5% increase in the budget can be handled this year without a tax increase, if the Undesignated Fund Balance (the town "savings account" where excess revenue raised from taxes or fees is put) is used. This is like telling someone that getting a loan is a good deal because they won't have to start paying it back for six months. There's only one source of income - the pockets of residents. If Gray increases the budget by 7.5%, then one way or another, sooner or later, 7.5% more has to be raised by taxes or fees.

Gray residents been given no justification for why Gray requires a percentage increase twice as large as nearly everyone else. Such an increase requires compelling evidence of need.

Gray residents need to take action now! Come to Town Meeting on June 11 and vote in the following:

--Limit the budget increase to less than 5%. Last year's increase was limited to 5% as a result of citizen action at Town Meeting (down from the 14% that the Town Manager and Council had proposed). The resulting budget covered all necessary expenses and Gray still has around $500,000 in the Undesignated Fund Balance.

--Reserve the town "savings account" (Undesignated Fund Balance) at least until the magnitude and urgency of the school repairs has been determined.

Alison Brown is a Gray resident and avtive in municipal fiscal matters.