5%, or approximately 280 plus or minus. That figure represents the number of voters annually in attendance at Town Meeting where voters have approved this additional debt, or, in those cases where debt exclusion from the levy limits of Proposition 2 1/2 were necessary, have voted in support of sending this additional debt to voters at the polls for final ratification. Debt exclusion from the levy limits allowed under Proposition 2 1/2 allows a community to "...assess taxes in excess of its levy limit or levy ceiling for the payment of certain capital projects and for the payment of specified debt service costs. An exclusion for the purpose of raising funds for debt service costs is referred to as a debt exclusion, and an exclusion for the purpose of raising funds for capital project costs is referred to as a capital outlay expenditure exclusion".
Every dollar we borrow, every penny of locally raised tax revenue, every bylaw passed, and every legislative decision made in our community is made solely by voters at Town Meeting, not the Board of Selectmen. As we compare our residential tax bills, along with our water and sewer rates over the past 5 years - all of which were determined by an average of 5% or approximately 280 registered voters at Town Meeting, we each need to ask ourselves a question; am I willing to continue to allow approximately 280 voters to determine my financial future? The answer to that question will help determine the corresponding course of action one might consider.
A Special Town Meeting is schedule for November 7, 7:00 PM at Tantasqua High School. The particulars of the Town Meeting Warrant will be posted online in the upcoming days and I encourage residents to carefully consider the importance of participating in the process that determines the most fundamental aspects of our every day life. No level of government has a more direct impact upon our taxes, our water and sewer rates, the fees we pay for services, as well as the services we receive than local government. In Sturbridge, the voters truly are the government as voters at Town Meeting serve as the Legislative Branch and therefore determine every aspect of our local future. Please consider attending on November 7, 7:00 PM at Tantasqua High School. If you need transportation contact me and we can work together on solutions.
A Special Town Meeting is schedule for November 7, 7:00 PM at Tantasqua High School. The particulars of the Town Meeting Warrant will be posted online in the upcoming days and I encourage residents to carefully consider the importance of participating in the process that determines the most fundamental aspects of our every day life. No level of government has a more direct impact upon our taxes, our water and sewer rates, the fees we pay for services, as well as the services we receive than local government. In Sturbridge, the voters truly are the government as voters at Town Meeting serve as the Legislative Branch and therefore determine every aspect of our local future. Please consider attending on November 7, 7:00 PM at Tantasqua High School. If you need transportation contact me and we can work together on solutions.
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