One day after voters approved a $15 million, three-year general override, town leaders pledged to spend the money responsibly and keep residents informed about how it is used.
According to the town, the property tax bills for a $1 million property will increase over the next three years by the following cumulative amounts:
• Year 1: $430.00
• Year 2: $1,080.75
• Year 3: $1,547.77
The separate trash collection override will add the following amounts to the tax bill of a $1 million home:
• Year 1: $220.00
• Year 2: $235.50
• Year 3: $251.39
“The override is both a lot of money and a lot of responsibility,” Select Board member Jim Zisson told the Current. “There are specific promises made that must be honored. But my overriding thought will be continuously looking for efficiencies so the tax levy increase lasts much longer than three years… We must continuously be vigilant and not be lulled into complacency on spending.”
At its June 10 meeting, the Select Board picked the first half of October for the first quarterly financial review promised in a memorandum of understanding signed by town and school leaders. The reviews are intended to track spending and ensure commitments made during the override campaign are met.
New Select Board member Rossana Ferrante pushed for a firm date.
“I just want to make sure that everybody knows we are taking this very seriously. So I’m very focused on that date,” she said.
Ferrante also called for stronger communication with residents.
“In addition to the quarterly meetings, I think we should really try to develop a comms plan around accountability,” she said. “How are we going to keep the community updated? What’s the cadence? What’s the form? The more clarity we can bring to the community as to what’s happening, I think the better.”
Chair Dan Fox said officials already have a roadmap for the first year of spending.
“We know where the $4.3 million goes in year one, right? That was already approved in Article 29 at Town Meeting,” Fox said. “So, we know we know where we go from there, but it’s about lining that up and making sure we’re tracking it well for future years.”
Board member Moses Grader said town officials need to do a better job explaining how all of the override funding will be used.
“We have been given some big checks, and I can just review very quickly: we’ve got $6.5 million for municipal services, $8.5 million for the schools, $2.3 for trash collection,” Grader said. “People understand where the $7.7 million restoration is coming from, but we have another $9.6 million that we have to do a better job of communicating what that is. It’s a wonderful opportunity in a lot of ways. We should really try to develop a plan around accountability.”
Zisson encouraged residents to pay attention and play a role moving forward.
“I ask all residents to participate in budget planning in the months leading up to Town Meeting,” he said. “It is your town and your money.”
