The school administration have put forth their needs. The Select Board had the Police Chief and Library Director last week to detail what they see as their needs. The plan is to have the other department heads come before the Board to lay out the needs of their departments as well. Finally all these needs will be rolled up into an override question or questions. There is only one group whose needs will not get a public airing. That group is the taxpayers! And especially the group of taxpayers will suffer the most if the needs of all the departments in the town are met. Some who comment here feel that I just don't understand the needs of the school department or Council on Aging or whoever.
But I have been going around the neighborhoods of the town, knocking on doors to collect nomination signatures, and talking to the people of the town. Some of those residents have been telling me about the burden that property taxes place on them. Elderly on fixed income and people on disability tell me that their property tax bills now amount to their monthly income for 2 or 3 months. They are worried about how they will pay an increase if an override passes. Just as the costs to the town for heat, light, insurance, and fuel have outstripped the town's revenues, so have they increased for those in our community on fixed income. $200 or even $500 more a year in taxes will not cause me undue pain and maybe not you either. But keep in mind that there are many in our community who cannot afford that kind of increase. Who may have to sell their home or go without necessities if an override passes. So when you hear the town departments ask for this many thousand or millions of dollars for their needs, keep in mind the very real needs of your neighbors. They will not get an override to pay their increased tax bills. There are needs and then there are needs.
Update I published this post a few week ago and thought it deserved another posting.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
There are needs and then there are needs
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51 comments:
Spare me Bill. We all have bills to pay and yet somehow we manage without gutting the quality of life in the community we live in.
Bill, your big plan is to prioritize then cut from the bottom. Exactly what is your priority list?
I agree with you Bill. We do have a portion of our population that cannot afford any more. Unfortunately, I am one of those. The July override costs were going to be really tough on my family but, man, the costs I incurred when it failed are overwhelming..PAYT, school fees, bussing. It will be cheaper for our family to vote yes on all 7 this time around than to continue paying the school fees and bussing costs..why weren't you thinking about my family this past summer?
Yes BillT, you should have knocked on my door. I pay to bus my child to high school, I pay to have her join the band, I pay to have my trash removed and guess what I pay for gas, oil, food and all the rest. I also paid without question for your children to attend school no doubt and enjoy all the benefits of that well rounded, free, public education. Yes BillT, ring my door bell and I will tell you just how much your attitide will cost me this year.
Perhaps all who wish to express their deep and abiding love for those less fortunate (and still vote no), could create a foundation to help them. I would be glad to assist in such an endeavor.
So when they sell their home, where will they go to pay lower taxes?
Bill you and your followers seek to lower the towns standard of living on par with the lowest earners in the community. That doesn’t seem fair to those who paid premium prices to move into a well serviced town only to find you and the CFRG lowering my homes value and the standard I bought into. I agree with the other poster. I would love to help the poor please start a foundation and I will contribute.
I think Bill wants to get to the root of our problem, not just put a band-aid on it. We will not be in this crisis for ever, but now we need to change our way of doing things. We cannot prevent receivership by hiring more people and putting pensions, health care, disability etc. in the budget.
Dismantling our community is not getting to the root of our problem. Making me pay an addition $1,000 a year so my kids can get to high school and play in a sport all the while having my youngest enrolled in a mega elementary school with limited opportunities as she moves up does not solve my problems only creates more. The long term 'solutions' that BillT is promoting as our salvation will surely cause more problems in the very near future and then we will all be asking ourselves was the piddling amount of money I saved worth it? I know the answer to that already.
Dear Fellow Citizens, We have to wake up to the fact that there is a limited amount of money. This town has not looked at consolidation, co-ordinating services and other ways to provide services at lower costs. The WHOLE STATE IS LIVING IN DEBT. It is time to pay the piper and change our course. What do we get for taxes. Not much in my opinion. No trash pick up, increased cost to use a beach and the list goes on and on. I don't appreciate the delusional thinking that we are better or offer more services than other towns or cities, because we don't.
to wake up -What do we get for our services? You've got to be kidding me. We get Police and fire protection. We get clean, well maintained beaches, roads, building department, health department, animal control, library, planning department, education, services for the elderly, parks, and more. You moan because you've got to pay a little for trash and then in turn are willing to trash the rest of the town, complain because a beach user fee goes up because our tax base is too low to support it without one. Get used to user fees my friend and they will be increased for every function this town provides. Its time for you to wake up.
Would like my son's h.s. diploma to be worth more than the paper it's printed on. Voting YES on all questions Tuesday and a big NO to Bill/CFRG.
Okay, I get it now. You can't afford your childrens' fees so I'm supposed to feel bad for you but you have no concern for those who can't afford more property taxes. Why can't you afford it? You're always telling everyone else what they can afford. As for services, I don't want to pay for you to go to the beach or launch your boat or anything else. Yes there should be fees to cover the costs of those departments because frankly, I don't want to hang out with you and do what you do. Why should I pay for your recreation?
Wake up! Bill and the CFRG did not lower your property values, the national economy did that. In case you haven't noticed property values have dropped everywhere but it is very convenient to blame it on someone. Too bad people aren't that stupid.
Hey 'pay your own way' - guess what, you don't pay to launch my or anyone elses boat. I pay for that and am happy to do so. I want you to pay for your fair share of a decent police, fire departments. I want you to pay for your fair share of a decent quality educational system, a staffed health department. Never knew I lived amongst such cheap, parsimonious 'I got mine screw the rest' bunch of people.
My priorities are to retain the quality of life Dartmouth has had to offer. My household income is less than $30,000/year. I am raising three children - two are now in the best schools in the country because of the Dartmouth School system. I will continue to set my priorities so that I can contribute to my Town and support it the way it has supported me. If I can afford it, just about anyone can. Please read Greg Lynam's post in Curt's blog today for trustworthy information. I am ashamed of BW/CFRG's false accusations.
What false accusations are you referring to? Please be specific.
The harbor activities are paid for by boater's fees. It is self sustaining and the town does not increase the fees as the money goes to an enterprise fund.
Bravo for raising 3 kids on under $30,000 and supporting the override. I hope the benefits of adequate services and a good education keep you motivated.
We all have bills to pay, correct, but the fact of paying for things that are not necessities at this point should not be forced on those who cannot afford to do so.
Should these people who are treading water financially be forced to sell homes and move due to poor money management in Dartmouth?
I say to those who bought a home recently in a town with financial problems should be forced to deal with the issues head on. Sorry, you couldn't enjoy the digging.
But, I didn't hear anyone complaining while we were digging ourselves into this hole. Now to dig out, the easy way is not always the best way for the WHOLE.
Why don't you spare me?
Zen say: Those who want more, pay more.
The problem here is those who support the override are seeking adequate services not exemplary services. You have all deluded yourselves if you thought we were living with excellence. We have an efficient town that has been able to do pretty good on a tight budget. Now the budget is less than adequate and compromise is needed. The override is a compromise.
Good Night and Good Luck....
What compromises or concessions are you willing to make to help the other side? Are you willing to pay some more in tax to help the those who want better schools? Are you willing to accept less in services to help those who are on fixed incomes? That is what will be needed to bring us together. We will all need to accept less than we have now. Will YOU do that for your community?
Anonymous, I know that the waterways is a seperate enterprise fund and never stated it wasn't so please specify what was a false accusation and quote where you got it. Of course you can't do that which is why you hide like a coward as an anonymous poster.
to Barry, 'pay your own way' said that he did not want to pay to launch my boat. I told him he doesnt pay to launch my boat I do. More lies from another who would rather lie than spend a few extra bucks.
Bill, here's a compromise I made. For the 17 years I have lived here, I've paid for scores of kids, including yours presumably,to go to an adequate school system before I had my own kids, I did that without hesitation. I also gladly paid for Officer Mello's treatment and supported his override, and many other compromises made in the name of a better community. Had there been proof of any mismamnagement or malfeasance or if we were living like kings looking for Cadillac services I would have balked. Instead none of that is true. All we hear from you and Barry is 'we cant afford it, we must live within our means' or even better the new admonishment 'you newcomers want everything' Hogwash, all of it. Cheap is cheap.
The quotes that Barry asked about and were subsequesntly deleted were:
"The library is poorly managed and fiscally irresponsible"
The typical Dartmouth elementary school has 420 students"
"Closing the 2 schools will not result in overcrowding at Quinn"
Barry said them, why can't they stay posted?
People cry that they don't want receivership, yet they want to vote to hire more people. If we can't afford what we have now, how will that help us get out of our present crisis?
If you're on a sinking ship, you don't invite 29 more people to come on board!
This is not a good time for many things, selling a house, having kids in school, being a senior, owning a business, etc.
It's not all about you...it's about all of us. We need to work together to get our town healthy again. We are still in a fiscal crisis! We need to think about the next few years, not just next year!
nd mom- I hear you but times have been tough before without resorting to these type of draconian measures. Our taxes are simply too low.
I have to disagree. Times have not been this bad in Dartmouth for many, many years. This is not just a 'tough time' folks. I've lived her for over 50 years, so don't talk to me about the last 17 years!
The rate of growth of revenue in Dartmouth has had a significant boost in the past few decades from new growth. That new growth has now slowed as the area avaiable for new development is filled up and the national economy and real estate markets have slowed. It is not a case of our real estate taxes not being high enough, it is the fact that our spending is growing at 6-7% and our revenue at 3-4%. A boost in revenue from an override may tide us over for a few years but until the rates of growth of revenue and spending are reconciled, we will continue in crisis. Please read the most recent post here for my thoughts.
All the name calling in the world won't force me to vote yes when I believe it is the wrong thing to do. I work for the town, and I see what goes on. There is no large scale, purposeful dishonesty, but there IS people who feel entitled to more, and more, and more, regardless of how good they have it! I used to feel the same way, thinking that it may not always be right but some day it would be my turn. In the meantime, we have a town that my children will never be able to afford to purchase and maintain a home in. Double dipping for payroll at DPW, slacking off, not recording vacation days when they are taken, getting perks (instant permits, turning a blind eye) that non-town employees will never get. I'm actually praying for a no vote, because no one paid any attention until this financial mess came to light and we lost the last override. Voting no.
Anonymous,
I didn't say libraries were poorly managed, channel 10 did. In the context of principals' salaries, the typical elementary school does have 420 students. I never said that closing two schools would not result in overcrowding at Quinn. I have in fact, repeatedly made it clear that I support re-opening one school. You continue to misquote and outright lie to engage in personal attacks. You are the epitome of cowardice as you hide behind your screen name. GROW UP.
Barry, Maybe you're the one who needs to grow up a bit. Please don't continue to weasel out of the fact that you used figures to mislead public into thinking consolidation of both schools would not overcrowd them in your flyer before last override!
Also, I read your explaination about being quoted out of context regarding the library, but that doesn't mean other listeners did, including the poster who quotes what many others did hear.
I haven't seen much effort on your part to understand others. Just lots of cries of being personally attacked and behaving like a victim.
Anonymous who is a town employee. Thank you for shedding some light. I have spoken to several town employees who have said exactly what you are saying. There are areas where we can save money. Maybe it's only $10,000 here, $20,000 there but when you start to add it up, hey we've got some money. Taking these kinds of steps is an act of good faith and something the taxpayers need to see. This constant refusal to admit that Dartmouth is not run as efficiently as it should be is a slap in the face to taxpayers who know better. The town employees who are actually doing the work know what goes on and they see managers being overcompensated and administration that is top heavy. I have also spoken to several people who have offered help and materials free to the town and they have either been ignored or refused. Town leaders claim they welcome the community to come forth but when they do, their assistance is rejected. Is it arrogance, ignorance or poor leadership? My guess would be all of the above. What has the town done to represent the taxpayers?
in the context of principal's salaries?! Tell that to the kids in the 1000+ student school. Nice try Barry.
Anonymous who is a town employee - so you witness waste and let it continue? Why not speak up and uncover the waste you see? Give us the facts about waste? This is more of the same innuendo without facts that gets thrown around by CFRG for over a year now.
Why would anyone advocate to impact the quality of our lifes so strongly even if allegations of waste "here and there" were true? Vote to retain our quality of life and work together to eliminate waste "here and there". Voting YES on all.
Yes, I have witnessed waste, and have not done anything about it. I have kept my mouth shut because I have seen what happens to people who make waves. Don't be naive. Employees have raised issues about the medical plan, the endless vacation days when folks don't log them down, and other subjects, and were told to shut up OR told that it was complicated and to stay out of it. Every time something is raised, you get the "collective bargaining" talk. Voting no.
So then anonymous town employee you are part of the very problem you are complaining about.
Vote For Bill!
anonymous you are placing the blame on the wrong person once again. This town employee said there have been complaints made but they have been ignored or worse yet they received a demeaning response. "You don't understand, it's complicated". People who try to speak up don't stand a chance against those trying to maintain the status quo. You yourself are attacking this person for speaking up.
So to the town employee - why not come before the select board and state your complaints?
Are you kidding??? I've seen what happens to people who go before the board with information that they don't want to hear. They get yelled at.
Voting for Bill!
Oh please - they get yelled at! What a joke!
Not a joke. I saw Barry Walker being yelled at by Ms. McLean because he was up there saying something she didn't want to hear. I saw it and a lot of other people saw it too.
Only one more day of tyranny!!!!!!
Town employees who go to the Select Board with complaints will very quickly lose their jobs, but of course, Mr. Anonymous knew that but tried to make a VERY weak point anyway.
Yeah - name 1.
Dartmouth is for summer people, empty nesters, retirees. Go figure. Elderly can get tax relief with volunteering-contact Town Hall, many have helped at library and are so nice to speak with.
Children and elders, the middle can wait to either repeat childhood or become elders...group hug and nirvana.
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