I am disappointed with the results as well as the number of voters who turned out. We will face a 4.5+% tax rate increase because 49 more residents made the effort to vote. Residents of Hebron should be so proud they are given the opportunity to vote and have a say. If this continues ... our form of town government will change. Someone is sure to start a campaign for a mayor or council form where we no longer vote but live with the decisions made by a few. Hope not!
Something is not right when we have a larger turnout when flyers are used to inform voters. Can it be that the boards in this town are more involved with the meeting process (rules) rather than keeping the public informed? Other towns are facing the same issues as Hebron (mandates, less revenue, increasing expenditures and the current economy). Hebron continues to raise our tax base while other towns appear to manage their debt service, keep their tax-rate down and be more innovative with revenues. Why not us? The decisions of our current boards will impact on future residents in our town. To profess we have no money for extras and then advertise for positions on the town website makes no sense.
We have several issues: dwindling fund balances, co-mingling of debt payments into the general fund and listing them as revenue, dumping of FEMA money into general revenue rather than off-setting the expenses related to the FEMA money, the current push for "more" debt with bond issues and the concern about "bond ratings" which encourages the town keep a pile of money unused to maintain a favorable borrowing rate. I also do not like the use of accounting terms or references to something as a standard accounting procedure when nothing is explained clearly to the public who are not accountants.
I will be the first to state my understanding is limited. My source of information is through meeting minutes and the meeting videotapes. Taxpayers should be given more information. Last year I sent out great sample budgets where notations are placed along side an expense. That is, the REASON for an increase/decrease was listed: state mandate, increase population, truck is 50 years old and rusting ... whatever. HBOE made this attempt this year (thank you). Not sure the town departments listed reasons
Somone has to have information to answer the following questions: has our collection rate for taxes in town gone up or down, how many foreclosures are there in town, how many residents pay taxes on a payment plan. This will show the health of our town and the resident’s ability to pay current taxes.
I believe the Charrette may have been perfectly planned. It was a wasted "feel good" exercise and gave the impression to the public we can afford to make changes to our main street. Read the meeting minutes of the Economic Development Commission. Perhaps the current discussion about bond money is actually focused on "redesigning" our town center. I believe we have other pressing needs and this should not be done. We have competition from Marlborough where an area has been set up for development right off of 2 - just miles from Hebron.
Pay attention, stay informed and help educate your neighbors. We can do better and keep this community affordable for everyone.
