Letter: Weissberger - "Do Not Let 10 percent of the Town" Set the Budget

To the Editor: 

I find it amazing that Vernon’s budget is going to the voters for a third time. Each of the first two times, I have voted against the budget as a council member, and then again as a resident and taxpayer, because I did not think that the budget the council put forward represented our best effort, and I did not feel it was something that could pass. I was right on both accounts both times.  

This time, however, I am uncertain as to what the potential outcome will be, and I am soliciting input from all citizens via their vote tomorrow. The current governor and legislature have acted in an extraordinarily irresponsible way in this current budget year. While fiscal irresponsibility is nothing new to them, this time it has had a direct impact on Vernon. 

This irresponsibility led to a decrease in over $1 million in town aid that helps to fund our emergency responders, like our police, fire, and ambulance unit. It also helps to fund important town functions like snow removal, refuse and recycling services, and road maintenance.  Additionally it funds programs and services that help build community within the town put on by our Parks and Recreation department. It also provides services to our citizens who are most in need.

When crafting a town budget, one must consider what the essential services are for a town to provide to its citizens and taxpayers. For many, that includes public safety and welfare, and providing a quality education to our children. The latter part is what has drawn the most attention in this budget cycle.

There are many opinions on the proper amount of education funding. Many believe that education dollars are not being effectively spent, and that the Board of Education lacks the accountability and knowledge to solve the problems that face our education system. Others believe that putting more money towards our education system will eventually lead to its increased performance.
 
Regardless of which way you feel, please let your voice be heard on Tuesday and vote!

As an elected leader, I dislike governing by exit polls and surveys.  First, they are not random, and second, the data allows different people to draw different conclusions to suit their own personal or political interests. When looking at the last results on the overall budget, 90 percent of the eligible voters didn’t vote, 3 percent of the voters wanted a lower overall budget and 3 percent wanted it higher. While there were greater margins in the other individual questions on the survey, the margin wasn’t much more than 2 percent of the eligible voters.  
I am not sure how, as an elected leader, I should interpret that data without more input from all the eligible voters.

A 5.59 percent tax increase is significant, and one must consider on their own whether or not they can afford it or if the budget makes fiscal sense to them. There is 90 percent of the town that we haven’t heard from yet, and I want to know your opinion at the polls on Tuesday. The last two referendums have resulted in an average of 10 percent of the voters coming out to vote.   

That is just not enough. I am urging all of my fellow residents and eligible taxpayers to let your voice be heard. Please do not let 10 percent of the town determine what the right amount of spending or increase in taxes is right for you.  Please exercise your right to vote on Tuesday between 6 a.m. and 8p.m. at Center 375 at 375 Hartford Turnpike. 

I look forward to seeing all of you at the polls, and hearing your opinion on the budget when the results  are first announced at the Town Council meeting on Tuesday night.

Adam Weissberger
Republican Town Council member