Originally Posted by Argie's Wife
Sorry if my post hit you the wrong way - I really am. It's hard to balance a budget so that the retirees, who are getting less and less Social Security each year don't lose their home but then the amenities that folks expect from a tourist community like this one are available. What's the happy medium? How do you keep BOTH sides happy?
I echo your comments about registering vehicles. Totally in agreement with you there. I hate it that I can't afford to register my winter car; a 1997 Dodge Intrepid with almost 200K miles on it, because it would be about $300 that I don't have to register it and the extra money I'll need to make it pass inspection. It's a crazy way to raise revenue. But what's the answer? A state income tax? Or a state sales tax? I moved here for low taxes, a good community, and good schools. I moved here to get out of the cities I'd lived in all my life - not to bring that with me here. I don't miss the bright lights.
About the zoning... I respectfully disagree with you because you don't get the whole picture; those articles aren't even presented at the town deliberative session because they have no fiscal impact. The zoning meetings aren't usually covered by the press and are seldom taped; the workshops are not taped and that's when they discuss the warrant articles. So, no... I don't think many people - even many voters - really understand them.
And yes, Alton does have extra police for the summertime and have more students (the AFD has a training center) in the summer, too. I'm not sure about AFD hiring extras for the summer, but I do know that Parks and Recs hires more the summer, too - lifeguards, extra grounds help, etc.. So there are changes to staff which impacts the budget (salary, FICA, NHRS, etc.) And with the significant increase in population in the summer, of course the landfill has a lot more to deal with; whether it's building materials that need to be recycled, or just household trash - it's still an impact on that town department. There's also a water department, town clerk, library and many other departments that assist ALL residents; including the seasonal residents. I've heard it said that the there's 3 seasonal residents to each 1 year-around resident; I don't know if that's true, but if so... that's quite a population jump for 3-4 months a year!
Point: You don't realize the impact of it until you sit through a town budget session; it's quite an education, let me tell you. I've learned more about Alton and feel our administration and selectmen here do a very good job of running our town. But it's still a tightrope walk... hard decisions are made at those times when the budget is prepared and justified before it goes in front of the voters.
I've listened to selectmen and budget committee members wrestle with the amount of money used for patriotic purposes because (1) a big fireworks show and flags, etc. are expected but; (2) there could be some money saved by cutting that budget - So, what's the best answer? That's one small example of what's discussed to present a fair budget...
How do you keep taxes low but at the same time meet meet expectations, ensure safety, and provide amenities for a population that can go from 5,000 to 12,000+?
And I sincerely hope you do vote. I don't care if we don't see eye-to-eye on something - or anything - but I love it when people care enough to get involved and pay attention to what's going on. Voting is a right that too few people exercise.
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