MyTownMatters Commentary
by Frank Schroth
It is difficult to imagine what life will be like in this town if we fail to pass the contingent override budget that is on the ballot in Milton’s special election this coming Monday, June 8th.
An entity remains financially viable by controlling costs and maintaining revenue. Milton has three significant costs: salaries, pensions, and insurance. It has two key revenue streams: property taxes and state aid. State aid has been cut so now we have a significant shortage of revenue.
The loss of revenue requires cuts in services. These cuts have been identified by the respective department heads at town meeting and numerous public forums. (Please see the links at the end of this post).
So this override matters. It matters because the outcome will directly affect our lives and the lives of our children.
If it fails to pass the town’s bond rating may be at risk. Kevin Sorgi, town treasurer for the pasat 28 years, has said that one reason Milton had the solid bond rating it did was due to the willingness to pass overrides to ensure the town services did not deteriorate.
Without the override the cuts to the school system will be so substantial that the schools may be at risk of being put on probation. Thirty-two teachers will be let go and classroom sizes may balloon to ~30.
We will not be as safe and secure in our homes. A fire station will close and 5 police officers will be relieved of duty. It is reasonable to expect response times to slow.
Maybe Milton property values, which to date have been fairly resilient given the recession, will continue to hold their value despite these risks or maybe not.
These are risks that some voters might be willing to take.
But when it comes to the town’s students it is not about risk, it is about loss. The cuts to the schools are a reduction in opportunities for the students. In the words of one school committee person, the schools would be “seriously diminished.” As adults we would not feel any of this; but the students will. Their opportunities will be diminished; their life experiences diminished; their chances for success, diminished. And following from that it is not too much of a stretch to say that all of our futures will be diminished.
We cannot let that happen. Vote YES on Monday, June 8th to ensure the town’s safety and security, it’s sound bond rating, it’s accredited schools, and the quality educational experience the town’s children should have.
Related links
> Invest in Milton: Web Site | Blog
> Phil Matthews / Milton View: “What’s at Stake”
> MHS senior Siobahn O’Grady’s speech to Town Meeting
> Property Tax Impact Table
> Videos
– Chief Wells: Cops Count
– Warrant Chairman Tom Hurley’s TM presentation
– Superintendent Mary Gormley’s TM presentation
– Selectmen Chairman John Shields speech to Town Meeting