On the 21st, the Chariho Times reported on the proposed 3.5% budget increase.
Property taxes have doubled or tripled in the last 5-6 years. We have a large number of senior citizens in our communities, often on fixed incomes. If the budget goes up by only 1%, someone may loose their house because the property taxes have become too great. If we increase the budget by 3.5%, the odds are even higher that someone (or several) may be forced to move. We cannot avoid all budget increases (often due to mandatory salary increases and escalating health care costs) but we should keep this fact in mind as we discuss this budget.
If you are concerned, do something about it. Attend the meetings (next budget workshop is 1/14 – 6:00 at the Middle School library), write the papers, do whatever it takes to let your voice be heard.
On a related note, the article mentioned $942,000 in capital expenditures for the elementary schools. I’ve heard there will be a presentation at the Hopkinton Town Council on this topic . Be sure to tune in.
Chariho School Parents' Forum 
Is the 3.5% the town budget or the Chariho budget? My understanding is that last year’s Chariho budget had a surplus, so if the 3.5% is Chariho’s budget, then the increase versus last year’s spending would be greater than 3.5%…or am I missing something?
Comment by Curious Resident — December 27, 2006 @ 10:29 pm |
Went to the Chariho Times article and found out the increase refers to the Chariho budget. Is the Chariho budget available on the Internet? If not, can you ask that it be posted someplace so we can access it? Thanks.
Comment by Curious Resident — December 27, 2006 @ 10:33 pm |
There are parts of the budget on the Chariho district website. I will create a post with links.
And to address your other point about the surplus – Good question!
The surplus is approx $2M (4% of the $51M budget). So if we didn’t have the surplus, it is reasonable to expect the budget to increase by 7.5%. I will do some research and post when I have answers.
Comment by cspf — December 28, 2006 @ 3:31 pm |