Opinion

In these difficult times we need to serve our community MORE, not less: A letter to the budget committee and select board

|Penny Collins|

Good afternoon,
Please add this written comment to the statements received in reaction to the current and proposed budget process ongoing for the town of New Gloucester.

I am writing in protest to both the current proposed budget cuts to the library, fire and rescue, and recreation programming. I am also extremely opposed to the methodology being applied to this process. 

I serve as the vice chair for the Fiddlehead School Board in Gray. I am also a small business owner. I know that this is a difficult time to plan and to make ends meet. I know the easiest way to make a budget work is to cut jobs. I have been at that table many times and I do not envy the task. 
However, I also know that districts have been given a grace period on finalizing budgets and that this is not a time to rush, but to be particularly transparent and reflective. There is absolutely zero call to rush the budget process, hinder public participation, or to make decisions without protocol. 

I am disappointed in the approach being taken and the lack of conversation around income and taxes. You are proposing deep cuts to our services and community recreation. A town that can’t afford to staff their rescue service, library, or recreation is simply NOT CHARGING ENOUGH to live here. The idea that we would continue to circle around a death grip on our notoriously low taxes in lieu of taking care of our citizens and our communal property is past due to change. 

In these difficult times we need to serve our community MORE, not less. It seems completely against the wishes of the townspeople if we asked for our own fire and rescue facility only to have it run unstaffed and underfunded. It’s time for our recreation staff to find ways to keep NG outside, healthy, active, and in good spirits. Children will have been learning from home for months. You suggest they also have no library to support their learning? 

It’s a small town with very few services. Let’s keep them high quality and in place. Otherwise we might as well shutter our beautiful town center and just go to a deeply rural lifestyle with no supports. Those that want it that way will be happy, and others will leave town in search of communities willing to better support their families. Even if it means paying more taxes for the improved quality, I’m happy to do it! 


Thank you for your consideration and good luck on your difficult task.
Best regards,
Penny Collins