Hebron Dollars & Sense

Something's Wrong in Hebron

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Created on Monday, 11 June 2012 07:14

Something's Wrong in Hebron

Did anyone notice the language on the ballot for the June 5 budget referendum? It reads:

SHALL THE TOWN OF HEBRON APPROVE A FY 2012-2013 BUDGET OF $33,776,251, WHICH INCLUDES HEBRON BOARD OF EDUCATION $11,891,118, RHAM BOARD OF EDUCATION LEVY $13,716,449, CONTRIBUTION TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM $417,647, CONTRIBUTION TO OPEN SPACE $73,000, TOWN DEBT SERVICE $1,170,705 AND TOWN GOVERNMENT $6,507,332, WHICH IS $311,888 LESS THAN THE FY 2011-2012 BUDGET, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE?

Ask yourselves: why the new phrase: WHICH IS $311,888 LESS THAN THE FY 2011-2012 BUDGET.

How is the SEEC and FOIA going to interpret this new language, which has never appeared in any previous budget ballot? Will they interpret this as "leading language meant to influence a budget vote?" Going back through the years, we can find no other similar language in any budget ballot or call to vote on funding issues at Town Meeting.

It will be interesting to find out their answer to this question.