Letter: Chris Stanley’s last minute budget shenanigans

Posted 4/26/17

To the editor: The decision to end the Financial Town Meeting last year tried to address the concern that a small minority could hijack the budget for their own interests. By switching to a format …

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Letter: Chris Stanley’s last minute budget shenanigans

Posted

To the editor:
The decision to end the Financial Town Meeting last year tried to address the concern that a small minority could hijack the budget for their own interests. By switching to a format which calls for public opinion at many stages, the Town of Warren had an opportunity to provide a more transparent budget process. After witnessing the budget approval hearing last Monday, however, I am deeply concerned that the process is even more easily manipulated than ever.
During the Monday hearing, Councilman Hanley opened discussion about doing something for the good guys. The result was a motion to add $1500 to the longevity of Fire Chief, Police Chief and DPW Foreman by Councilman Stanley. This had never been addressed in previous budget hearings. The motion passed, but had to be taken back when the Finance Director reminded the council that the motion was not valid due to existing contracts. After a discussion which saw a member of the public overrun and ignored, a 5.1% salary increase was proposed for the three plus the new DPW director was added into the motion. That would have made the tax assessments wrong if something else wasn’t cut. Mr. Hanley then proposed cutting the Waste water management position by $14,000. There was no plan, only fumbling for a potential solution that would be “fair.”
The department heads in Warren do a remarkable job, and the importance of recognizing their work is a very legitimate issue that absolutely should be discussed. However, the way in which Mr. Stanley tried to shoehorn in a longevity bonus for certain department heads at the eleventh hour after the tax assessments had already been completed is not even remotely fair to the people of Warren. If fairness was the concern then why wasn’t the Senior Center director, who also does amazing work, not included among the newly proposed raises? The budget process exists specifically to encourage fairness and a chance for all proposals to be heard and to give the public a chance to understand the impact. To circumvent the public process to favor specific individuals, regardless of the reason, is financially irresponsible.
Most concerning was that, at no time until the night on which the budget would be approved, did any department head or council member in support of the proposed longevity payments even bring them up. The council voted 5-0 to approve the budgets proposed weeks earlier, so why was it only on Monday that we needed to do something for the good guys?
While every line item on the proposed budget can be discussed until council approval, the operating budget is not a playground. The final budget hearing is not the time to be throwing new spending ideas with no clear direction on how to implement them in the hope of maybe arriving at a solution. Hope is not a fiscal strategy. Following a transparent process with clear timelines and public input as the priority is.
Stephen Smith
11 Mayo Drive

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