Tom Gormley Cuts Spending In Middlebury By 2.3%

Tom Gormley Cuts Spending By 2.3%

Middlebury Taxpayers have to contend with two budgets.  The first and most expensive budget is the Region 15 one.  That budget went to referendum twice.  On the second vote it passed.  But, it was not passed by Middlebury residents.  As soon as Southbury voted it through, it was all over for Middlebury.  We were out of the loop, at least until next time.

The second budget is the municipal budget.  That is the budget that pays for Town services, such as the Library, PD, FD, and PW.  That budget went to referendum two times as well, and was voted down for the second time.

The BOF and the BOS have met with department heads and made quite a few cuts.  The result is that there is a budget increase of approximately 6% on the Region 15 side. What residents have to realize is that there is absolutely 0% increase on the Town side of the budget.  All the increases have come from the Region 15 side, in which we have no control over, since Southbury voted it through.  

The most important thing to remember here is that on the Town side there not only is a 0% increase in spending, but the BOF and BOS have cut spending by $828,214.00.  The budget is smaller than it was under Mr. St. John’s administration.  When you equate the $828,214.00 to the entire Town Municipal budget there is a 2.3% cut in taxes.  The budget is MINUS 2.3%.  This means that Middlebury, (if the next budget passes) will be operating with 2.3% less money than it did last year.

This notion that there is some wild spending going on in Town is just not true. Any increase in taxes this year will come strictly from the Region 15 side.  Mr. Gormley and the BOF do not set up that budget.  The only way to control it is to vote no, but when Southbury outvotes you there is nothing Middlebury can do to change the outcome.

The school budget goes up every year.  Is Middlebury going to continue to cut municipal funds for the sake of offsetting the Region 15 budget? We will be plowing the roads with pickup trucks.

On top of the increase in Region 15, there was $700,000 in lost revenue because of the economy.  $103,000 in lost interest because of a bad stock market. Don’t forget about Washington Dr. $928,214.00 lost from Mr. St. John’s project.  In addition the $650,000 from the rainy day fund could have come in handy this year, if it was not for Ms. Bollard insisting it be spent in 2005.  

When you look at the big picture, Tom  Gormley has done a great job in handling what he has inherited.  Even with the bad economy, even with no rainy day fund, even with $700,000 in lost revenue and the bad $928,000.00 Washington Dr. deal, he has managed to cut $828,214.00 off this next budget. He has made the budget minus 2.3%.

Tom Gormley should be commended for the fine job he has done trying to control spending.  No one likes paying higher taxes, but where Middlebury should be fighting, is not with the municipal budget but rather the Region 15 budget.  The community must work together to examine their spending, and find areas where cuts can be made.  

We should support Tom Gormley and support this next budget, in order to keep the high standards and services enjoyed by our community.  There is a one year old little girl who is alive today because of the heroism of our fine Police Department.  Their quick response was a matter of life and death.  Can you imagine what may happen if we start making cuts to our police and fire? 

Support Tom Gormley and the next budget. Lets take the fight to Region 15 next time around, and protect Middlebury’s interests.