Last Wednesday night’s budget hearing presented by the Barrington Committee on Appropriations offered a budget with a tax levy increase of 2.28 percent. The audience of about 20 people included …
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Last Wednesday night’s budget hearing presented by the Barrington Committee on Appropriations offered a budget with a tax levy increase of 2.28 percent.
The audience of about 20 people included town officials and a few residents.
Richard Staples, chairman of the committee on appropriations, gave a detailed overview of the charge of the COA and later explained that the majority of the cost increase is due to contractual obligations and debt service on the $68.4 million middle school bond that was approved last year.
The budget also includes a $6 million bond for renovations to the Peck Center building (including a new roof), and roadway, drainage and sidewalk upgrades.
With the majority of the committee new to the COA, Mr. Staples said it was imperative for them to learn the ins and outs of budget process. He said the group met 18 times in the past year.
Only a few audience members asked questions. Peter Clifford, a former member of the committee on appropriations, said the 2.28 percent increase was, in actuality, closer to a 4 percent increase when factoring in the average 6 percent property value increase following the revaluation process.
Mr. Clifford recently filed an amendment proposing a $500,000 reduction to the school department's operating budget. This amendment was not discussed at the budget hearing.
The phasing-out of the car tax by the state of 5 percent (year 2 of the 5-year phase out) and a hefty decrease in health care costs have balanced budget increases, said officials.
Chad Mollica, another former member of the committee on appropriations, said that the motor vehicle tax is a large number and the state intended to give tax relief to the citizens. He asked if the savings were rolled into the town’s operating budget.
Mr. Staples said the committee on appropriations never talked about the revenue side of the town.
Mr. Mollica said he took umbrage with the term ‘fair” that was used by COA member Scott Douglas to describe this year’s budget.
“Fair is a word that has no relevance," Mr. Mollica said. "It should be clear and transparent. I'd ask you think about the clarity when presenting the budget to taxpayers."
Kathy Lariviere, a Barrington resident and volunteer at Tap-In, made a compelling appeal for taxpayers to approve the bond referendum and stated that the conditions in the lower level of the Peck Center building are deplorable and a fire hazard.
Residents will be asked to vote on the proposed budget at the financial town meet on Wednesday, May 23. The FTM will be held at the Barrington High School auditorium at 7 p.m.