LETTERS: Debt Exclusion & Override Should Be on Same Ballot

Dear Editor,

The final coat of paint has not yet been applied to the new fire house and following Tuesday's Feb. 18 meeting with the various Finance Committees, Boards of Selectmen, GD School Committee and Town Manager, it seem pretty clear that prior to Town Meeting, there will be a special election to authorize debt exclusion for the $500,000 annual debt payment for the fire house.

In December of 2012 during the hearings to select candidates for the Town Meeting Study Committee I proposed a plan to exclude the debt for any public works project that required a debt service which is a sound fiscal policy and meets the highest ethical standards by allowing all the voters an opportunity to cast a ballot for that project. I also proposed an amendment at the Town meeting to exclude the debt for the fire house so the vote would go to the ballot. The Town Manager and at least a majority of the BOS did not support either of these positions.

Now, less than a year later, due to circumstances not predicted, which is yet another reason to exclude the debt, the voters are going to be faced with adding the fire house debt to the tax rate as well as a possible Prop 2 ½ override. If there is also an override option, I hope both the debt exclusion and the override will be on the same ballot. We should have every option in one place at the same time.

I hope the By-Law Committee will immediately open a discussion to change the Town By-Laws to require any public works project that requires a bond to be issued, will be placed on the Warrant as debt excluded and subject to ballot approval, even if the a majority of Board of Selectmen refuse to ask them to make a recommendation.

Sincerely,

Rule Loving

Townsend Road