Issues to Be Decided in 2021
January to March is Town Election Season. For election ballot details, go down to Ballot Details . For explanations of items on the Town and School Warrant, go to the Voter's Guide on the town web site.
This year there were several items on the town and school warrants to consider:
| |
2021
Proposed |
2021
Default |
2020 |
| Town Budget |
$4,342,740 |
$4,195,980 |
$4,085,970 |
| School Budget |
$11,457,385 |
$11,444,812 |
$10,857,796 |
| Sewer Budget |
$2,300,422 |
$2,314,738 |
$2,299,192 |
The 2021 Town Budget is about 6.3% higher than last year so the Default Budget looks more acceptable. But the town administrator said that money from the Unassigned Fund Balance is to be used to offset the increases and maintain last year's $9.62 town tax rate.
The 2021 School Budget seems to be almost $600,000 more than 2020's approved budget. Last year's raises cost about $265,000. The school board also want to put $225,000 from unspent taxes into a few capital reserve funds. The board needs to inform the residents of the estimated tax increase due to this new budget.
The controversial school warrant article #1 asks the residents "to raise and appropriate the sum of $32.5 million" for the new school and also to borrow $13 million in hopes that the state will kick in $19.5 million for the proposed new school, but they don't expect to be able to cut much from the school budget to compensate for the expense of the school bond.
At the Deliberative Smackdown Session, Ron and Diane Adinolfo asked whether ledge on the Dodge Road property would increase construction costs. The response was that the current owner may have done a geological survey that they could refer to. They also asked about water and sewer. The response was that the cost of a well and septic system was included in the bond but they might use the funds to extend the town water and sewer lines. With possibly 600 students, teachers, and staff occupying the new school, will a well and septic system be adequate?
This reporter asked if they could explain exactly how, where, and when do we get hold of the $32.5 million and what does that do to the school tax rate? The explanation was that nothing happens until the school district gets approval for the state grant – which will not happen until at least July. It seems that they would then apply for the $13 million bond at 1.58% or whatever the bond rate is at that time.
The SAU Business Administrator said that the bond payments and tax increases would be as follows (but these are just current estimates). The way the bond is structured results in higher payments and taxes for years 2 to 20.
First year's bond payment = $325,000 (July to Dec. 2021).
First year's school tax increase = $1.09/$1,000.
For years 2 to 20, the annual bond payment = $828,625.
For years 2 to 20, the tax increase = $2.77/$1,000.
For a $300,000 property, you would have to pay $831 more per year for 19 years.
Those figures were today's estimates and the amount could go up or down depending on the bond rate come July.
For more details, see the School Bond Part 4 article.
Several people wanted the total 20-year tax impact of the bond included as part of the warrant article text, but the school's lawyer said that was not legally possible and only the first year's tax impact could be included. Other officials disagreed. The new State Rep. and Budget Committee member, Matt Pitaro, sided with the school's lawyer.
This reporter strongly disapproved this tactic as maybe not illegal but unconscionable and misleading for the voters, most of whom did not attend the meeting and would be relying on the wording on the ballot. No one would take out a mortgage if the lender was allowed to hide the fact that a higher interest rate would be due after the first year. Mr. Adinolfo's amendment to include at least the first year's tax impact passed by a vote of 19-3.
The 2021 Sewer Budget, which is paid by sewer rates and mostly by septage haulers, was relatively unchanged from last year. At the January 16 town hearing, Superintendent Jeff Backman explained that the sewer rate was to decrease by a penny per 1,000 gallons. Keep in mind that about 80% of sewer revenue comes from the septage haulers, so rate payers are thus paying only 20% of the budget.
The collection of relatively uncontroversial Town Warrant Articles is available via the link below.
Zoning Warrant Articles – The Planning Board proposed two zoning ordinance changes for stormwater management and use of dumpsters.
Capital Reserve Funds – Several warrant articles propose that we discontinue several obsolete funds. Other articles propose putting your unspent tax money (AKA the Unassigned Fund Balance) into several funds as a way to save for expensive one-time expenditures.
Public Budget Events
Saturday January 16 at 9:00 a.m.
Budget Committee Public Hearing on the proposed budgets and warrant articles at St. John's Parish Hall on School St.
January 20 to January 29
Candidate sign-up dates for town or school offices.
Jan. 30 (Saturday) at 9:00 a.m.
Deliberative Smackdown Session at St. John's Parish Hall (pre-Groundhog Day). Last chance to make amendments.
Tuesday March 9 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Town Election at St. John's Parish Hall on School St.
Ballot Details for the 2021 Election
Click on one of the following links to see who is running for office and what budgets and warrant articles are on the ballot.
 Summary of Election Results
Town Warrant Articles (21) (local copy)
Town Candidates
School Warrant Articles (6) (local copy)
School District Candidates
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