The citizens of Orono should be prepared for a substantial tax increase next year. Preliminary indications from the public hearing on the school budget held on May 24 were for an expected increase of 13.7 percent, based solely on school proposals. A public hearing was held on June 2 to discuss both the municipal and school budget proposals.

Granted, at the May 24 public hearing, a few citizens expressed their dissatisfaction with such a proposal, but the subsequent public hearing on June 2 provoked little, if any, opposition to such a proposal. As it stands, the school system backed off on their original proposal all the way down to 8.2 percent!

Please be aware that the lack of opposition to either proposal has convinced the majority of the Orono Town Council members that Orono citizens are ready to accept a substantial tax increase this year.

A final vote on the proposed budget will be taken on June 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers. John J. McDonough Town councilor Chairman Orono Finance Committee