I find it very curious that the school board would authorize a vote for a $19.9 million bond just months before the residents will be asked to vote on the school budget, and at a time when some residents may be away for the winter.
Very recently the Board was able to remain within the 2% tax cap, by using the “pension contribution stabilization plan”. With this in mind the board should either postpone the vote to coincide with the budget vote or at the very least, present an outline of what the budget will look like for the coming year, lest we be forced to rely on another gimmick to stay within the cap.
If one were to look at the proposal closely, one would see that there are several items that should be considered “maintenance items”. Such as $686,000.00 for slate roof targeted replacement and repair.
Repairs should not be financed with a 20 year bond. If it is a targeted item, why was it not budgeted for, rather than lumped into a bond proposal?
If you and the board want to honor your pledge for transparency please postpone the vote, so that we can see what our new budget is.
Timothy F. Kinsley
