FARMINGTON – Residents of the Mt. Blue Regional School District towns will head to the polls for the second time Thursday, voting on a $32.7 million budget for the current fiscal year.
More than 200 residents attended the budget meeting on July 14, setting the budget at $32,749,109. That represents a $705,000 increase in expenditures as compared to the previous fiscal year, or 2.2 percent; a reduction exceeding $220,000 as compared to the budget rejected in June.
The budget would result in a $278,653 decrease in tax assessments, or 2.1 percent. Tax assessments associated with the school district would decrease in eight towns, increasing in Starks and New Vineyard.
Chesterville – a local assessment of $936,087, for a decrease of $14,442.
Farmington – a local assessment of $4,627,710, for a decrease of $90,593.
Industry – a local assessment of $808,601, for a decrease of $10,408.
New Sharon – a local assessment of $1,051,012, for a decrease of $26,013.
New Vineyard – a local assessment of $705,475, for an increase of $339.
Starks – a local assessment of $358,692, for an increase of $17,563.
Temple – a local assessment of $440,274, for a decrease of $17,777.
Vienna – a local assessment of $699,759, for a decrease of $4,425.
Weld – a local assessment of $470,487, for a decrease of $8,647.
Wilton – a local assessment of $2,889,853, for a decrease of $124,249.Total local assessment would be $12,961,942 for a decrease of $278,653.
Reductions, as compared to the $33 million June budget, include cutting a World Language teacher at the Mt. Blue Middle School, reducing contingency account funds by $85,000, signing a new HVAC contract that would save $25,000, cutting $10,000 out of stipends, and roughly $10,000 out of special education wage lines via a reorganization of how service is provided. More than $30,000 was saved through the retirement of the district’s longtime guidance director. Superintendent Thomas Ward will not take a pay increase for the third year in a row, saving $2,440. A Special Education ed tech position was also removed, saving $12,400.
Directors also approved increasing the carry-forward by $50,000, to $550,000.
The validation referendum was scheduled for July 28 by the school board. The towns decide when polls open, with state law requiring they be open at least four hours. Polling places and times can be seen here:
Chesterville Town Office, from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.
Farmington Community Center, from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Industry Town Hall, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
New Sharon Town Office, from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
New Vineyard Smith Hall, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Starks Community Center, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Temple Town Hall, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Vienna Fire Station, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Weld Town Office, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Wilton Town Office, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Before I vote tomorrow, let me understand that MY property tax(the check I write) in Farmington will be less that 2015?
Please vote and remember that this year’s increase in budget stays in place to be added to next year’s increase in budget, which will create a large increase in your taxes for 2017. There will be no $550,000 reduction from surplus, as it is gone! Maybe no extra from the state, as this year’s $250,000, and who knows about MaineCare. I’ll be voting NO!
To bad that all of the towns wouldn’t be open for voting until at least 7:00 PM to allow all of the working people time to get into vote.
Keep on being short-sighted, voting against your young people, and they WILL NOT return to be the next crop of citizens that will keep our communities afloat when you’re in your golden years.
KEY QUESTION: Why would anyone want to return to a community that so clearly devalues them and their chances at success? If I had it to do again, given this climate, I would have to think quite seriously about returning to this place – even though it’s my favorite spot on Planet Earth.
A NO vote is a vote against the future of our ten towns.
Period, plain, and simple.
A no vote, cares for the citizens of these ten towns. The schools to last into the future. And the children to be taught that money isnt what teaches.
Pe
riod plain & simple
A. Dulles it never states anything about your tax bill itself going down. It states the towns local assessment will go down it 8 of the 10 towns. The would be the part directly associated/going to the school/education. Town taxes go up for a variety of reasons; such as cost to run the town, maintenance, road care, etc.
Thank you Student of History. Point well stated!
And yes our household is a working class family; owning both home and camp in Franklin County!
We will be voting yes tomorrow. Support our schools and educational future for students.
Looks like the school taxes are going down for 8 of ten towns, and Farmington is one of those, A Dulles. The Homestead exemption is also increasing, so if your property is at, or below median value for Farmington, you may see a two measurable reductions in your taxes….ask the town assesor to find out for sure…
I voted yes last week, since the road was calling for a summer excursion…..
Why aren’t the polling places open longer to accommodate everyone?
I see Weld is only open for 4 hours, At least the other towns are open
mid afternoon for people who work a swing shift.
Just remember that although most towns see a reduction in assessments, the budget is still up $705,000. Then you have those points made by Buckshot. To Sudent of History: It is not a good education that brings students back to our towns, it is JOBS!
Period. Plain and simple
Every year I have to laugh at the 30 plus comments on each article about SAD 9 budget. People need to understand the budget will always pass no matter how much people complain about the increases. Its is typically add a million, let people complain for a month, cut back 200 thousand while saying how much we are devastating our children and re-vote. The re-vote will pass (as always) and taxes will always go up(yes I know supposedly not this year but wait till next year). No one can stop the machine, especially when the spenders use our babies to tug on heart strings.
Student of history, I am in my golden years. I help keep these communities a float too. I vote, volunteer and am involved in our community and feel proud of it. I love living here also, but I will soon no longer be able to afford it with the current taxing on our property. I think we get a raise in our budget this next year around $25.00 bucks for the year. Cheers.
Yes, A. Dulles. The taxes in all towns except Weld and Starks (who had a new valuation, nothing to do with schools) will go down. AND anyone interested in becoming part of the solution for these communities moving forward, please join the “Working Together for Change” group on Facebook. We need to work together and have input from all stakeholders. Remember, “Promote what you love, instead of bashing what you hate”.
How much is it costing the towns to hold another vote on the budget?
I think it’s time for the Student of History to go back to school.
JOBS keep kids in town. JOBS brings kids back to town.
Unless, of course, they find that WELFARE is their new career
choice.
Jobs go where education is prioritized, especially in this high tech economy. Now more than ever education is essential for the job market.
Mr. Erb, this area will never be a high tech job draw. And if for some reason it ever were, the lifestyle that everyone lives here for would be gone. This area should focus on maximizing it’s assets.
I agree that a good solid education is important. I just realized after seeing the results that a little over 3000 voters voted on a 30 million dollar budget. For just one year! To me that is unbelievable.