Pittsfield woman says budget process clearer

PITTSFIELD — “I accomplished what I set out to do,” is Janet Thorpe’s assessment of the recent series of “concerned citizens” meetings in Pittsfield.

Thorpe was the organizing force behind the meetings called to study the cause of rising property taxes. She began her quest for information when reports of the SAD 53 budget were published, feeling that “somebody had to do something” about the rising cost of education and its ultimate effect on local taxes.

From the beginning, Thorpe emphasized that it was important for taxpayers to be informed.

`I set out to get people to a point where they understand what they are talking about. People needed to know how the municipal budget is developed, how the tax rate is set and how the school assessment is paid and budget operates.

“Now, I think it’s time for people to sit down and make up their own minds about the budget. It’s important that they know how they feel about the budget, and perhaps why they do, before they vote on it,” she said.

Voters from the three towns of SAD 53 will meet to discuss the budget at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, while the vote on the $5.9 million budget will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 15. Both meetings will be held at the Warsaw School gymnasium.

Thorpe was pleased with the outcome of the meetings and complimented School Superintendent Terry McCannell for his presentation at the last meeting.

“He did an excellent job. He answered a lot of questions and explained the process. It is a very confusing issue and I think everyone learned something from it, perhaps even some board members,” she said. “It was important for people to see that no one was lying or trying to be devious. The school board has given us some true figures, although the tax reality may be different.”

“I expect to speak at the hearing, but it’s not up to me to tell people how to vote or what to think. They have to make up their own minds. And, they need to be reminded that increasing costs are not all the school board’s fault –it’s us. If you don’t go to the budget hearings, you don’t have a right to complain. And, few people have argued against the budget in the past. So, of course, the board assumed most people agreed with them.”