Moretown and other Vermont towns do not have this option and maybe
that's a good thing. What they do have is good old Vermonter sense. For
Moretown, that means not expanding on its budget and programs. There
are some commitments that have already been made, however, that cannot
be avoided. In essence, they are the new garage bond to which a full
installment payment is to be made in 2010, paying for the recent town
hall repairs, and the possible need of a new town truck. Moretown is
also facing a mandated reappraisal of its property, which will need
additional funding. In my opinion, the reappraisal needs to happen in
2010 so that it gets incorporated into the state's calculation of
Common Level of Appraisal in 2011. The Common Level of Appraisal has
had a major impact on the school tax rate, which many people may not
realize makes up 83 percent of their tax bill in Moretown. Fixing this
early on can only help alleviate tax pressures.
This all seems daunting, but it is manageable and Moretown is not at
the point where it has to slash and burn everything that it has built
up. We can maintain our operations, infrastructures and those who serve
us at adequate and fair levels. The high tax rate that Moretown
taxpayers felt this year has allowed us to do so and I thank them for
the sacrifice. In return, our select board needs to keep growth of the
budget down and find ways to reduce taxes. Analysis and management of
our cash flow needs may offer a possibility for the coming year. Also,
with the new Capital Improvement Plan to be managed by the planning
commission, the select board members will have a long-term schedule for
projects prepared for them allowing them to concentrate on current
operating issues. This will provide for more efficiency in what gets
done and also allows for more citizen input on how their town is
managed and developed.
Keeping Moretown's budget level will be difficult but not impossible.
The economy this year has had some moments of deflation suggesting that
a level budget need not factor in inflation and thus allow for a lower
tax rate. I am not of that persuasion. In light of how Washington has
handled its finances, I am inclined to view the opposite. Let's hope
that I am wrong and that Washington's plan succeeds; otherwise,
Moretown and all other Vermont towns will have to slash and burn or
have its taxpayers bear a much greater burden in the coming years.
Rob Roberts is a member of the Moretown Select Board.
