What will your taxes be if the third referendum passes?

We have updated the spreadsheet, which you can view now.  Based on this budget, the average tax increase is now $158.87; the average tax increase since FY 2007-08 now stands at $550.88.

The third referendum on Hebron's town budget (comprised of the General Government budget, Open Space, and Hebron Board of Education) will be voted on Tuesday, June 1.  General Government is now at a 0% increase over last year's spending; Hebron Board of Education is a 0% increase over last year's spending; and Open Space is a 28% DECREASE over last year's spending.

This is what the Board of Finance asked for in December 2009, and we support the budget proposed for Referendum III.  They've done the best job they can in laying the groundwork for next year's budget season, when revenues will dramatically decline.

We encourage you to vote Yes on this budget.  The Board of Finance could go lower than 0% increase, but it wouldn't be enough to offset the $3,200 cost of a referendum.  It's time to vote Yes and move on.

What would your taxes be for FY 2010-11 if the second town budget referendum on May 18th passes?

We have recalculated the spreadsheet, based on the minimal $48,500 reduction to the Hebron Board of Education budget.  If passed, it would be a .94 mill increase, which equates to a 3.33% increase in your taxes. As you can see, the average increase in taxes would be $193.94, and the average increase in your taxes since 2008 would be $585.95.

What is of greatest concern continues to be the significant reduction in revenue predicted for next year, the lack of stimulus money which is funding part of this current FY 2010-11 budget (which will NOT be there next year, and will need to be replaced with taxpayer dollars or significant reductions made), and the continued onslaught of unfunded mandates and union-dictated salary and step increases that far exceed any increases the public sector is seeing.

Hebron Budget Results Are In:

Hebron Town Government Vote:     639 Yes         1,127 No

Hebron CIP:                                   1,041 Yes         718 No

RHAM Budget (Hebron)                882 Yes            880 No

RHAM Budget (Andover)                79 Yes              27 No

RHAM Budget (Marlborough)        234 Yes              80 No

TOTAL District RHAM Vote:      1,195 Yes           988 No

How do you feel about the Advisory Ballot? After attending many meetings and speaking to the issues, we have suggestions for you to consider in filling out the Advisory Ballot.  We've also listed a number of suggested "Comments" but this field is wide open for you to put in your own thoughts!

We have also included a large font version for quick reference.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT UPDATE TO Issue #27:  Bifurcation of the town budget is still possible.

Based on the comments of one poster, we have confirmed that bifurcation of the town budget into the two major components, town budget and Board of Education budget, is possible without without waiting another five years for charter revision.