Charter revision II
Readers of this blog may not be surprised by the following letter that appeared in today's MRJ. After all, I've not only mentioned revising our Charter during a recent Council meeting, I've also posted here on the idea of revising the Charter. (see savings of both energy and tax dollars and term limits)
It’s time for us to consider a town Charter revision.
What is a Charter revision? It’s a revision of the town’s
“constitution”. Typically, every ten years or so, Cheshire revises its Charter, most recently in 1996.
Right now I’m proposing that we open the Charter and seriously consider separating the school and town budgets, allowing voters greater input into both budgets. Spending will be more accountable, and line items more closely scrutinized. But with Charter revision, anything is open for discussion.
Might a Mayor/Council be more accountable than the present Council/Manager system? Should the town adopt tax limits that require a certain per cent increase to obtain voter approval at referendum? Perhaps we should have term limits for elected officials?
What do you think?
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
15 comments:
Separating school and town budgets? YES... for more accountability.
Adopt a town "Prop 2 1/2" type property tax limit? Absolutely YES... to make town and school agencies justify tax/spending increases to taxpayers.
Replace Council/Manager with Mayor/Council? Maybe... let's look at pro's and con's.
Term limits on local elected officials? Probably not needed... let the voters decide every two years.
Consider town Charter revision? YES... open discussion is healthy for the town.
Definitely separate school and town budgets. There should also be referendums on increases over 3%.
separating the school and town budget would pit older/empty nest citizen against parent. I don't want that.
We don't need any of the above-it is just a way for the anti education and anti development crowd to get its way bc they can't do it through the elction process any more
I'm a empty nester. I feel offended when someone always refers to us as anti-education. I for one is not. I repeat not. I do object to spending where the students don't get the benefit of of all the tax money. This burns the heck out of me. I don't minding paying my taxes but there is much waste and politics. The childrens future is nothing to play with. I firmly believe in all towns nationwide that the adults should set a good example. Help the teachers do their jobs by encouraging and reenforcing the importance of respecting their teachers and always trying your best.
Let's CHARTER REVISION. In some cases giving everyone the opportunity to vote (in private without feeling intimidated) gets more people out on very important matters concerning the towns finances and future. The school budget is a good example.
Until we have a Supt. of Schools that is more open, not as arrogant and does not play games with his budget,along with a BOE that does not cave in we should consider a charter revision. Separate the BOE & Town budgets, any budget increase over 3% goes to public vote. Tax limitations would be good. Of course this will all become moot when the low income development with about 430, 3 bedroom apartments, specifically for the ultra low income are built. Falls under the fair housing and there is nothing by anyone in the Town to stop it. Place 1000+ minority kids in the school system, the taxes, development and other economic, quality of life issues will take care of themselves.
Not intended to be a racist point of view, I actually welcome this type of development. Greater cultural diversity.
Now the town will win in court. If zone text change is approved what is suggested could and will happen.
And that blows your mind. You would actually have to live with those people.
I support your idea of charter revision. What we should change is open for discussion. As one who follows the budget process and is also concerned about the lack of public input. We have to find a way to get the pubic more involved. Cheshire is at a cross roads on a lot of issues. I would not separte the school and town budgets. The public should be allowed to vote on both . After two votes on what the powers to be on the town and school side say we need for services and the cost of those services. If those two budgets fail. Then the town council will have to only increase each line item no more than 3%. This will give the people back the power to say , come up with more cost effective ways to deliver the services we want. Right now with a tax collection rate of 99% ( we budget 98% giving us a 6 figure surplus) trust funds in insurance and general funds overflowing. The powers to be have no sense of urgency to control spending or find more effient ways of delivering services. The voters who support education spending ( the biggest part of the budget) would be able to in a secret ballot vote down the budget and get this message out. A 3% cap per line item would make people be very creative to deliver services . no politican whats to cut education or other popular services. Something needs to be done because no matter what happens in the north end . every revaluation. taxes will be shifted to the residential taxpayers ie 40% increase in residenitial values but only 20% in commerical and industrial.
Let's really think out of the box. Education makes up about 75% of our town budget. Let's pull all "teacher" expenses out (let's say that's $70M) Now tax property owners on the balance (that's real tax savings for the elderly). Now let's create an education income tax for all wager earners (over $10K per year) Since education benefits everyone, not just land owners, everyone should pay. Now take that $70M and divide it by the AGI sum of all income earners in Cheshire over $10K, that's the tax rate. People who make more, pay more. So if our income is $1.3B (13,000 people x 100,000/yr), 70M/1.3B = 5% education tax. Better yet, do this state wide and pool all the teachers together! (oops, forgot about the union).
Anon 2:49 It always shifts to residential. Why? This confuses me. My house goes up but the commercial buildings don't go up as high. When commercial property is sold I see some large numbers appearing next to the sold price. I just don't get it. Maybe we should have much more commercial and less residential. Wait, less need for town services. My taxes go down. Hmmm? I'm for referendums.
You all have missed the point. The people were given many opportunities to give input this year and one did. They don't care and are happy with the way things are. You many not be but most are. Just a fact of life.
When it comes to public meetings many feel intimidated. Also parents of school children who feel the school budget is too high (and their are many) don't want to come out and say so because of reprisals. To say everyone is happy is not really true thus the need for referendums. Let people voice their opinions privately in the ballot box.
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