Charter Questions

Before we get into any questions, I want to take an opportunity to share some common ground with the charter commissioners.
1.) We are all on the same page in saying that we all want lower taxes. I have never heard one person say to me that they wanted taxes to go up. My taxes went up and I don't like the fact that they increased by about 30%

2.) I give credit, where credit is due. The Commissioners want more people to be involved and to participate in our local goverment. The first thing that i said which was quoted in the papers last year is that I wanted people to feel that they could come to their town councilors and feel like they have a responsive goverment.

My personal feelings are that I would much rather have participation with someone who disagrees with my opinions than for an apathitic citizen, whom may complain later but has not particiapted in the process. You have heard people complain and someone says " did you vote'? and many times the answer is "no, I have no time" or any other excuses... you get what I'm saying here.

So, we find common ground on these important topics. Thank you charter commissioners for keeping that to the forefront.

Now, after I read the Derry News Letters to the editor on 1/30 I would like to thank Councilor Coyle for pointing out a fact in his words "The town administrator and the council continue to be responsible for preparing the budget within the limitations imposed by the tax cap, but the voters get the final say on approval.

Ok, Lets look at the proposal the commissoners worked at and are proposing for us.

Bonding-Any bonding proposal over 2.5% of previous budget-the voters will decide and as Kevin pointed out this year that number would be $970,000.

I could of been in favor of voters input on any bonding that was outside of the tax cap. (which by the way has never happened. In fact any bonding previouly approved by past councils was always still under the tax cap.)

The TIF vote ( approved but not yet issued) if under their proposal would of had to wait until May for a vote on, and depending on timing issues-could be a future problem if time is not on our side in attracting businesses. ( we lose being able to be pro-active ) But all and all I think we should be ok in this area.

The changing of the May date is not the end of the world. Although, I'm not happy about spending an additional $8000./year and I'm concerned the split voting days could have a negative effect in people not wanting to come out every two months to vote. I hope if the proposal passes that I'm proved wrong on this one.

And last, Voting on the budget is where most of my questions are. The proposal as we know right now is talked about in simple terms. If the voters do turn down the budget, the budget then defaults to last years budget. Ok, most people understand that pretty easily,
however if we take this upcoming budget as an example and pretend that the charter proposal has passed and the voters voted down the budget. What happens next.

we all know, that this year, under the tax cap the council can increase town spending by 23 cents and in fact if we go right up to the cap and propose to spend 23 cents, we still are short on the budget by $330,000. ( I have not seen a council yet, spend upto the cap. always making sure we scutinize every dollar)

Now, if the budget were to default to last year. we would not be able to raise the 23 cents, which represents obligations by contract and we would still be short the $330,000

The 23 cents represents about $880,000 in real numbers

Budget would need to be cut by 1.21 million. Question: What happens next in the process?

Who makes the cuts?
What gets cut?

Both Kevin and Paul Hopfgarten would be able to best answer these questions as both are/were councilors and are familiar with the towns budget.

These are some of my questions for the commissioners that I would like to know about. I will have more, but until they answer these. I have a problem with thier proposal.