Prop 2 1/2 Override #1

The following questions were recently posed for candidates in Middleboro's April election to address on the nemasket forum:

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At a recent Board of Selectmen meeting the School Department presented their budget. It looks like they are looking for a Prop 2½ override. What is your position? And why?

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While the questions appear simple to answer, a consideration of Middleboro's fiscal history is appropriate.

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When Prop 2 1/2 was passed overwhelmingly by voters, it alerted municipalities of their revenue limits. It set the cap at 2 1/2% plus new growth.

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Each city and town had choices that were made to live within those limits.

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A few made wise choices, lived within their budgets, stashed a little for emergencies, saved for known future projects and learned to say NO.

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Middleboro instead employed the *Fuzzy Math method of juggle and spend, selling assets to pay current expenses, exhausting the piggy bank and spending next year's funds. The BOS and former Town Manager excluded the Finance Committee, denied them information, condemned their recommendations and created a hostile relationship.

(Credit to Middleboro Gazette Editor Jane Lopes for coining the phrase.)

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Middleboro voters failed to attend Town Meeting. Those who did and attempted to opppose the quorum filled with Town Employees and Town Retirees were intimidated. No action has ever been taken to address or correct the intimidation on Town Meeting floor.

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Budget information has never been made available to voters in a digestible fashion.

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The BOS recently played a charade of transparency, holding public meetings to discuss departmental budgets that were not publicly revealed, except for the School Department.

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School Superintendent Robert Sullivan offered commentary about the growth of General Government versus that of the School Department. Did anyone notice?

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Those budgets presented at the BOS meetings are not included in the Selectmen's Meeting Minutes posted on the Town's Web Site, nor are they available elsewhere. To review the contents, one must submit a Public Records Request and pay the cost.

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Why are we suddenly praising the BOS for their TRANSPARENCY when we don't have the detailed budgets to review? Do you, as a voter and taxpayer know what the line items are? Some are praising a selectman for pointing out the nominal cost savings of law books from the Town Clerk's budget. What if there are other items that just pop out at you?

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But the surrounding issues go far deeper, some of which will be addressed in subsequent posts.

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Recommendations were made in the last 2 auditors' reports presented to the BOS. Not one single recommendation has been implemented.

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The BOS is charged with the duties of AUDITORS by Town Charter. Have you read it?

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So what did the BOS do to resolve the issues?

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They changed auditing firms.

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The last available Auditors' Report is posted along with much else: LINK

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While you might dismiss that issue as trivial, those reports are reviewed to determine the Town's Bond Rating, which in turn determines what interest rate your tax dollars will pay.

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So, like your credit cards, max them out and ZIPPO! You're paying 30% and wondering why.

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It's like a hidden cost on your tax bill based on the fiscal mismanagement of the Town.

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Maybe you don't have the time to review the Auditors' Report, but the bond market does.
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When the Finance Committee requested a Department of Revenue review (because the Town lacked the funds for other than a FREE service), the DOR informed that the BOS would have to request the service.

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While Selectman Perkins would lead you to believe he championed the report, NOT SO!

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The Finance Committee, to their credit, forced the BOS to initiate the report.

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And the BOS has yet to implement the recommendations contained within that report.

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Merely the basics were included in the report, but it's worthy of consideration because of the suggestions that were offered.

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That report should be posted on the Town's Web Site, but is not.

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Unless you printed a copy of the DOR Report, you just might be inclined to believe Selectman Perkins each time he tells you that ALL of the recommendations have been inplemented. He seems to believe it.

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Middleboro voters have twice rejected Prop 2 1/2 Overrides. To their credit, when asked for a Debt Exclusion to construct the new Nichols Middle School, it was supported by voters.

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This Debt Exclusion still remains on your tax bill.

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Middleboro voters, in my opinion, are reasonable people willing to support what they believe makes sense, like a new school.

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But until voters are convinced that the Town has exercised responsible fiscal management, any override attempt will be defeated much as the flawed Menu Override attempted in the spring 2007.

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With fuel prices in excess of $3.00 for gas and home heating fuel, families already stressed are unlikely to continue to contribute additional funds.