letter to the editor from don kerr

Don Kerr's letter to the editor this week, posted with permission:

Distinct differences exist between the 2010-11 report by Fairweather Consulting versus 2012-2013 consolidation reports and Council debates regarding the same questions. Fairweather’s report projects little, if any, savings from consolidation; but the Consolidation Finance Committee has stated $1.6M in consolidation savings. That $1.6M number has come under scrutiny. The Town Supervisor’s recent raise and stipend rewarded hours spent in budget tightening from 2011 to 2012. There is concern that retirements, savings and efficiencies realized at that time might be mistakenly credited to consolidation. 2012 Town NP budget actuals (as distinct from 2012 budget projections) will soon provide clarity on that point.

The Fairweather Report also envisioned Special Tax districts that would extend to the entire community. But leaders in the quest for consolidation who also serve at the Town Council table have debated special tax districts which would shift the cost of Police, Fire, streetlights & sidewalks to “beneficiaries” whom they have defined as located downtown. After consolidation, residents of the Village would be in the minority, with 1-2 Village seats on a consolidated board.

Consolidation advocates are pushing fast and hard. When advocates began to wave the banner of the $1.6M, my first instinct was to grab my wallet and look for unanticipated consequences. A tax shift to Villagers, as articulated during 2012 Town Council discussions, could be facilitated by a built-in majority of Town representation on the new 5-7 member board. In our community’s quest for efficiency, Villagers might factor in the dollar value of political power and representation.

Donald Kerr