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Community Corner

The spending dilemma

About three years ago I was elected to the School committee.   At that time the spending was out of control.  The Dacia, Alexa, Marinel crowd had been bleeding the system for 8 consecutive override years.   They left the booking keeping system in a total mess and was totally mismanaged.  During the ensuing 2 years the SC and the new Superintendent have managed to correct many mistakes and return, I believe, over 4 million to the towns.  The recent discovery that we were paying employee medical insurance 300k per year more than required adds another million to the pot.   The reason I bring this up is the antithesis’ of spending has now shifted to the town officials namely Scuteri, Johnson, Maddern (SJM)   Isn’t it ironic that they complain bitterly about the spending of the SC and now they are the proponents of big spending.   

 

The SC voted to refurbish the systems in our schools for some 4 million versus approximately 40 million for a new school.  The question is complicated but which one would you rather pay a tax increase on. There is no conservative posture for the SJM ilk, and they have a stranglehold on the Board of Selectmen.   Two hearings and two warrant articles displayed negative input from the community sometimes overwhelmingly, but  they simply rationalize it away and only present biased choices. I fear that this will continue as long as the three are in office.

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The SJM never works with the opposing side, only the proponents and than consider the result as a mandate. They were vehemently opposed, for example, to a third party assessment of the pool.  “I will not allow it“ ( Mr. Lombardo) therefore we will never get a fair and balanced assessment.  Only what they want you to see. For example, a $150,000 presentation obviously non neutral.  I am sure the pool will be regurgitated only this time it will be accompanied by 3 mill (approximation) turf field. I am sure that they will take the posture –it was only two votes--  well close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and H-Bombs.   The point is a 1/3 of the community does not want the elaborate spending, not if we just get a few more votes we can win.  They would probably win handily if they would compromise on the third party assessment or possibly just replacing in kind what we have.  I should think it is far better to have the vast majority on your side rather than a bunch of people unhappy.   But I believe the egos will get in the way and SJM ilk will insist on the water world.

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But that is the pool, it is working its way into history whatever the outcome.  We still have spending problems.  Wenham seems to have realized this, and has curtailed amenity spending.  With their tax rate going to “18.79” ( John McWane’ ) they are taking on a conservative spending  posture.  We are still about the same tax rate 17.17+ –due to the school efficiencies and returns, however there are only so many mistakes that can found, and like everything else the budget will increase. However, if we continue with the elaborate spending push we will soon catch-up to Wenham.

 

The taxpayers urgently need a third party assessment, we cannot rely on the present prejudiced evaluations.

 

 

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