This may not be a good year to propose a tax increase. WW voted their budget down last night. See article from the KC Times:
WW residents vote down budgets
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
HANNAH CLARKIN
hclarkin@ricentral.com
WEST WARWICK — Taxpayers defeated the municipal budget, school budget, and voted down any tax levy with a resounding majority at the Town Financial Meeting last night.
Of the 416 voters counted by the West Warwick Board of Canvassers in a ballot vote, 333 voted against the municipal budget presented by the town council at $30,512,700, a majority in a standing vote defeated the school department budget of $49,269,685, and all but three people voted down a motion to keep the tax levy the same as it was last year.With nearly three times the attendance of last year’s financial town meeting, the meeting began at 7 p.m. and did not let out until 10:45 p.m. In his opening remarks Council President David Gosselin appealed to the taxpayers of West Warwick for help by supporting the budget. “We are in the perfect storm and this is a wave we need to get through and a wave we will overcome you’re your support tonight,” he said.But multiple residents criticized the council and the school committee for coming to them with a budget that included a 4.75 percent increase in a time of economic difficulty. More than one resident warned the council that an increase in taxes would push them into foreclosure on their home.
Seniors and other residents of fixed incomes voiced the same concerns. A comment from resident Alan Johnson drew applause and cheers from the audience when he told town leadership that they would never have better attendance at their meetings until they started running the town differently. “Until you learn how to handle department heads, pensions, and health insurance, they’re not going to come to your meetings because they don’t believe that they can make a difference,” he said. Although School Committee Chairwoman Lindagay Palazzo introduced the school budget for Fiscal Year 2010 as a victory of recent history, coming in at $3,645,140 less than the allocation the schools requested last year, the residents voted it down. The resolution regarding the tax levy was originally worded to allow for a 4.75 increase in the tax levy, but when he presented it, Councilman Peter Calci set the figure at the fiscal year 2009 tax levy, in an effort to prevent any increase in taxes. It was voted down in spite of this adjustment.Even if the levy stayed at the 2009 level, Beattie said, there would still be an increase in taxes because the state has changed motor vehicle taxes and money is apportioned differently in the town this year.
By voting down the budgets for 2010, Council President David Gosselin said at the end of the meeting, the taxpayers chose a municipal and a school budget that are higher than the ones proposed for this year. The $2.2 million increase in the fiscal year 2010 budget, Gosselin said, was to close the gap left by losses in state aid and other local revenues and by the new settlement payments for the Station Fire, the actual budgets presented by the schools and the municipal government represented a decrease in operating expenses. Leaving the Town Financial Meeting, residents expressed confusion about what would happen next.Even as tax assessor, Beattie wasn’t sure, he said. “Both the budget and the tax levy have not been voted down for at least the last thirty years,” he said on his way out of the meeting. “I have no idea what comes next. As far as I know we’re not even authorized to send out tax bills.”
The Home Rule Charter does speak to this situation, according to Town Solicitor Gregory S. Inman, who provided legal counsel during the meeting. In Section 504, “Failure to complete the budget,” the council is direct that “in the event that the budget shall not have received final approval by the start of the fiscal year, the departments, officials and agencies of the town shall have the authority to continue making expenditures at the rates authorized in the budget of the previous fiscal year until such a time as a new budget shall have been approved,” the charter reads.
Unlike many municipalities, Inman said, West Warwick is not required to take any further action. They may continue to operate until the fiscal year 2009 budget if they see fit. They do have the option, he added, under the West Warwick Special Acts Code, to call an all-day referendum to vote on an amended budget that is lower than the amount proposed that was voted down, or to call another Financial Town Meeting and try for any amount by presenting warrants. “But there is no time frame,” Inman said. “Nothing bars them from [continuing with last year’s amount.]”
The voters did look favorably upon two of the five warrants read at the Town Financial Meeting. They voted to allow the town to pay bills that come in after the fiscal year is over, as long as they were for items that fell within the fiscal year 2009 budget. They also voted to allow the school department to spend any federal or state funding that they are awarded over the next fiscal year.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Busy Meeting Week
There's a lot of meeting activity this coming week:
Town Council May 18. Please note the location of the meeting:
Town Hall Annex Auditorium
1675 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2009/74156.pdf
Board of Canvassars May 19:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4237/2009/73207.pdf
Town of Coventry Animal Control, vicious dog hearing May 19:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/3763/2009/74005.pdf
Housing Authority May 20:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4242/2009/74022.pdf
Planning Commission May 20:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2009/74029.pdf
Town Council May 18. Please note the location of the meeting:
Town Hall Annex Auditorium
1675 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4232/2009/74156.pdf
Board of Canvassars May 19:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4237/2009/73207.pdf
Town of Coventry Animal Control, vicious dog hearing May 19:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/3763/2009/74005.pdf
Housing Authority May 20:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4242/2009/74022.pdf
Planning Commission May 20:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4233/2009/74029.pdf
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thomas Jefferson Quotes
I received an e-mail with some T. Jefferson quotes which I found interesting.
John Kennedy once said to a assembled group of scholars in the White House "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."
The quotes below could prove his point.
His words have come to pass..................
The quotes --
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe .
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.
These are all quotes attributed to Mr. Jefferson. See also http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff109181.html
John Kennedy once said to a assembled group of scholars in the White House "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."
The quotes below could prove his point.
His words have come to pass..................
The quotes --
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe .
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.
These are all quotes attributed to Mr. Jefferson. See also http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff109181.html
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Letter to the Editor
Posting an LTE written by Joel Johnson that appeared in the KC Times on 05/11/09.
Time for Creative Thinking in Coventry
Based on the initial reaction of the School Committee to the suggestion by the Town Council that their budget might be level-funded for FY 2009-10, it appears that very little thought went into how to meet that challenge while having the least effect on the education received by the town’s school children. Instead, the School Committee chose to trot out the same old, tired list of threatened cuts that every school committee has held over the heads of frightened parents for at least the past 40 years: “We’ll have to cut sports!, We’ll have to cut extra-curricular activities!, We’ll have to eliminate ROTC!, We’ll have to close a school!” - all the while feigning incredulity. Oh so predictable, oh so disingenuous.
There is no doubt that the Town of Coventry pays a premium to have its children educated. Asking the school department to absorb what amounts to only a 3% cut to its increased funding request (while the municipal side is being told to brace for what amounts to a 10% cut below the current level of funding) is, under the circumstances, getting off easy. To claim that “It can’t be done!” implies an admitted lack of creativity and/or laziness on the part of the School Committee and the administration. I choose to believe that isn’t the case. Rather, I believe that Superintendent Di Pietro is more than up to the challenge of meeting the goal set before him by the Town Council. No one can dispute that he’s a smart, savvy individual who knows his way around a budget dilemma. It’s now time for him to prove his worth and deliver the goods.
Please stop the hysteria! It is time that the taxpayers of Coventry demand that their elected School Committee representatives stop the bellyaching and do what is prudent and justifiable in light of the current financial challenges facing our town, state and nation. Furthermore, this can be accomplished without having to plead their case while groveling at the feet of the Coventry Teachers Alliance. Renegotiating that contract at this point is a bad idea, completely unnecessary and, in the long term, counter-productive. To do so now would be tantamount to merely “kicking the can down the road”. Past experience would indicate that every dollar in union “concessions” would likely yield two or more dollars in additional costs somewhere down the line - thus, shouldering the Coventry taxpayer with an even bigger burden in the future.
Enough is enough. No tax rate increase in Coventry is possible. Dedicated public officials can make it a reality if they choose to do so. Taxpayers should thank them for it.
Joel Johnson
Coventry, Rhode Island
Time for Creative Thinking in Coventry
Based on the initial reaction of the School Committee to the suggestion by the Town Council that their budget might be level-funded for FY 2009-10, it appears that very little thought went into how to meet that challenge while having the least effect on the education received by the town’s school children. Instead, the School Committee chose to trot out the same old, tired list of threatened cuts that every school committee has held over the heads of frightened parents for at least the past 40 years: “We’ll have to cut sports!, We’ll have to cut extra-curricular activities!, We’ll have to eliminate ROTC!, We’ll have to close a school!” - all the while feigning incredulity. Oh so predictable, oh so disingenuous.
There is no doubt that the Town of Coventry pays a premium to have its children educated. Asking the school department to absorb what amounts to only a 3% cut to its increased funding request (while the municipal side is being told to brace for what amounts to a 10% cut below the current level of funding) is, under the circumstances, getting off easy. To claim that “It can’t be done!” implies an admitted lack of creativity and/or laziness on the part of the School Committee and the administration. I choose to believe that isn’t the case. Rather, I believe that Superintendent Di Pietro is more than up to the challenge of meeting the goal set before him by the Town Council. No one can dispute that he’s a smart, savvy individual who knows his way around a budget dilemma. It’s now time for him to prove his worth and deliver the goods.
Please stop the hysteria! It is time that the taxpayers of Coventry demand that their elected School Committee representatives stop the bellyaching and do what is prudent and justifiable in light of the current financial challenges facing our town, state and nation. Furthermore, this can be accomplished without having to plead their case while groveling at the feet of the Coventry Teachers Alliance. Renegotiating that contract at this point is a bad idea, completely unnecessary and, in the long term, counter-productive. To do so now would be tantamount to merely “kicking the can down the road”. Past experience would indicate that every dollar in union “concessions” would likely yield two or more dollars in additional costs somewhere down the line - thus, shouldering the Coventry taxpayer with an even bigger burden in the future.
Enough is enough. No tax rate increase in Coventry is possible. Dedicated public officials can make it a reality if they choose to do so. Taxpayers should thank them for it.
Joel Johnson
Coventry, Rhode Island
Upcoming Meetings
Conservation Board 5/12:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4239/2009/73658.pdf
School Committee 5/12:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2009/73675.pdf
Tax Assessment Review Board 5/12:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4236/2009/73742.pdf
Board of Canvassors 5/19:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4237/2009/73207.pdf
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4239/2009/73658.pdf
School Committee 5/12:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4248/2009/73675.pdf
Tax Assessment Review Board 5/12:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4236/2009/73742.pdf
Board of Canvassors 5/19:
http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/omfiling/pdffiles/notices/4237/2009/73207.pdf
Monday, May 11, 2009
Clarification from Coumcil Member
Forwarding an e-mail from TC Vice Pres. Laura Flanagan that clarifies her previous memo on proposing a zero property tax increase.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to take a moment and provide clarity to a point raised in the below e-mail. My e-mail is not intended to imply, nor should it be construed to mean, that the Superintendent concurs with my opinion, but is to say that I have had the opportunity to ask questions of him in person, and have taken his views into account, as well as the views of many others, before formulating an opinion. I am convinced that we all share a common goal… the desire for an excellent educational system for our children, provided at the most cost effective/efficient manner.
That said, I remain convinced that a 3% reduction in the School Budget (level funding) could be accomplished with a minimal impact on children’s programs. As I mentioned, it would involve “sacrifice”. I arrive at that opinion, in large part, due to the knowledge that the increase in this year’s budget is primarily due to salaries and benefits. Despite all of the rumors and speculation you may hear, I do not believe that level funding will destroy Coventry’s educational system if we create efficiency and seek some amount of sacrifice!
I continue to be interested in the thoughts of all Coventry taxpayers as to an increase in our property tax levy, as we draw nearer to the adoption of a FY 09-10 Budget and I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Warmest regards,
Laura
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to take a moment and provide clarity to a point raised in the below e-mail. My e-mail is not intended to imply, nor should it be construed to mean, that the Superintendent concurs with my opinion, but is to say that I have had the opportunity to ask questions of him in person, and have taken his views into account, as well as the views of many others, before formulating an opinion. I am convinced that we all share a common goal… the desire for an excellent educational system for our children, provided at the most cost effective/efficient manner.
That said, I remain convinced that a 3% reduction in the School Budget (level funding) could be accomplished with a minimal impact on children’s programs. As I mentioned, it would involve “sacrifice”. I arrive at that opinion, in large part, due to the knowledge that the increase in this year’s budget is primarily due to salaries and benefits. Despite all of the rumors and speculation you may hear, I do not believe that level funding will destroy Coventry’s educational system if we create efficiency and seek some amount of sacrifice!
I continue to be interested in the thoughts of all Coventry taxpayers as to an increase in our property tax levy, as we draw nearer to the adoption of a FY 09-10 Budget and I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Warmest regards,
Laura
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Message Regarding Property Taxes
I received an e-mail from TC Vice President Laura Flanagan, see below. I could use a break on my property taxes and support a zero increase this year if it's at all possible.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you want to pay more in property tax to protect the “status quo” and continue “business as usual”?
ANSWER: (please provide your thoughts with as much, or as little, detail as you are comfortable with)
Okay, so here’s the scoop. The Town Council is fairly close to closing in on a budget for 09-10 that calls for a ZERO tax increase for property owners! As you can imagine, achieving this result was very difficult and the UNIONS are lobbying hard against this proposal spreading gross exaggerations of the impact on “our children”. I have personally met with the Superintendent of Schools and I believe the schools can be level funded with minimal impact to children’s programs. There will be changes that create efficiency, and some sacrifice. We have already made proposals to reduce the Town budget by over 10%. We are only asking 3% from the schools.
I can assure you that our sons and daughters will not be jobless, homeless or unable to compete in our world in the future because the 2009 Town Council asked the school to reduce it’s budget by 3%! 3% of a $64 Million budget in the midst of the worst recession we have seen since the Great Depression is not an unreasonable reduction request.
SPREAD THE WORD.
Two points here.
1) As taxpayers, you have a VOICE. It’s time that the Town Council and School Committee heard directly from the voters who elected them! We have had ENOUGH of high taxes with no end in sight!
2) If ordinary taxpayers remain silent, the only voices being heard are those with a special interest….. and taxes WILL GO UP.
What can you do to support a ZERO tax increase this year?
1) Answer the question above and send this e-mail to at least 10 people you know in Coventry concerned about their tax bill. Please ask them to share their thoughts on this matter and send it along to 10 people they know, repeating the same process.
2) In your request, ensure that a cc: is sent to me at megsmile38@gmail.com
MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND ATTEND THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING ON JUNE 9TH TO BE HELD IN THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM AND TELL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS YOU WILL NOT BEAR ANOTHER TAX INCREASE! COVENTRY NEEDS TO MOVE IN A NEW DIRECTION.
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Coventry Town Council
District 2
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."- Margaret Mead
16 Knotty Oak Lane
Coventry, RI 02816
megsmile38@gmail.com
(401) 378-3566
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you want to pay more in property tax to protect the “status quo” and continue “business as usual”?
ANSWER: (please provide your thoughts with as much, or as little, detail as you are comfortable with)
Okay, so here’s the scoop. The Town Council is fairly close to closing in on a budget for 09-10 that calls for a ZERO tax increase for property owners! As you can imagine, achieving this result was very difficult and the UNIONS are lobbying hard against this proposal spreading gross exaggerations of the impact on “our children”. I have personally met with the Superintendent of Schools and I believe the schools can be level funded with minimal impact to children’s programs. There will be changes that create efficiency, and some sacrifice. We have already made proposals to reduce the Town budget by over 10%. We are only asking 3% from the schools.
I can assure you that our sons and daughters will not be jobless, homeless or unable to compete in our world in the future because the 2009 Town Council asked the school to reduce it’s budget by 3%! 3% of a $64 Million budget in the midst of the worst recession we have seen since the Great Depression is not an unreasonable reduction request.
SPREAD THE WORD.
Two points here.
1) As taxpayers, you have a VOICE. It’s time that the Town Council and School Committee heard directly from the voters who elected them! We have had ENOUGH of high taxes with no end in sight!
2) If ordinary taxpayers remain silent, the only voices being heard are those with a special interest….. and taxes WILL GO UP.
What can you do to support a ZERO tax increase this year?
1) Answer the question above and send this e-mail to at least 10 people you know in Coventry concerned about their tax bill. Please ask them to share their thoughts on this matter and send it along to 10 people they know, repeating the same process.
2) In your request, ensure that a cc: is sent to me at megsmile38@gmail.com
MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND ATTEND THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING ON JUNE 9TH TO BE HELD IN THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM AND TELL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS YOU WILL NOT BEAR ANOTHER TAX INCREASE! COVENTRY NEEDS TO MOVE IN A NEW DIRECTION.
Laura A. Flanagan
Vice President
Coventry Town Council
District 2
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."- Margaret Mead
16 Knotty Oak Lane
Coventry, RI 02816
megsmile38@gmail.com
(401) 378-3566
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