What is This Override Request All About?
To Fairhaven Town Meeting members and Taxpayers
On May 6th, Town Meeting will convene to determine the fiscal future for the Town, at least for the near term. Although I have not yet seen the agenda for the Meeting¸ it should be obvious to all that the most important Article to be dealt with is the “2 1/2 override” Article. A “pass/ fail” will dictate whether a special town-wide election will be held on this issue.
Relative to this Article, a number of very important questions should be asked and answered before votes are taken.
• How long has the Town known about this shortfall?
• When did we become aware of the shortfall and were there any warning signs?
• Wasn’t the Town aware that we had contract raises that had to be met? Doesn’t the Town account for those contractual obligations each year along with anticipated cost of living increases?
• If the Article fails and budget cuts need to be made, what is the working rationale for the proposed cuts…..what departments are likely to sustain cuts and by what amount?
• As to the use of “free cash” to support ongoing operating expenses. Were the “powers that be” aware that this was going on? Did Town Meeting have any role in approving this action? Was there oversight?
These are basic questions that Town Meeting deserves to have answered before votes are cast.
Some resolutions to the problem have been proffered i.e., a vote for or against department budget cuts, use monies put aside for the possible Fire/Police safety complex. As to the “put aside”, who knew? I personally was unaware that the town has been “putting aside” any money per se for this matter and suspect that the majority of taxpayers were also unaware that this was being done.
I would strongly recommend that Town Meeting members thoroughly understand all the important ramifications of this matter
Keep in mind inflation is still with us and shows little sign of abating. Our citizenry is getting older, many of whom are on fixed incomes, and our young families are trying hard to make ends meet. Unfortunately, increased taxes regardless of how seemingly small do nothing to ease this reality. They only create an added burden.
Looking to an override for operating expenses is a slippery slope. Give this matter your utmost consideration prior to voting and let us insist on establishing safeguards to prevent this issue from reoccurring.
Bernard F Roderick, Fairhaven
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Click her to download the 4/27/23 issue: 04-27-23 WI5K_REV
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