YOUR VOTE MATTERS AT THIS YEAR'S FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING

Tiverton's Financial Town Meeting is this Saturday. Although there has been far less dispute over this year's budget, it's just as important that every voter know the facts and make an effort to attend and vote to support the Budget Committee's recommendations. It's a smart balance between maintaining crucial town and school services and containing spending and taxes. The bottom line: if approved, it will result in a 2% tax increase (about $2 per week for a $300,000 home). Municipal spending increases 3.28%, while the school increase is 2.57%.

Anyone tempted to skip this year's FTM should remember that in 2009, with a similar lack of advance controversy, low turnout allowed a small group to spring a surprise level-funding proposal that passed by five votes. The same people who attempted to eliminate funding to groups like Visiting Nurses and force drastic cuts to school programs can try again this year. Those who showed up last year to stop these cuts shouldn't let that effort be wasted. Devastating cuts to the schools will not only harm education, but create problems that will cost more to fix down the road. It's hard to imagine the community supporting a library-bond if this occurs.

Don't be fooled by the usual misinformation. Some are using a change in how state-aid is accounted for to suggest school spending is way up. To expose this accounting trick, simply look at the docket for the FTM, where the actual budget numbers are listed and the changes explained. Voters should also reject a resolution that would take money from the town's General Fund to offset taxes. This is the kind of shortsighted action that put us in a hole in the first place, and could result in a lowered bond-rating and a lack of emergency funds.

Last year, when the state's withholding of $1.5 million in car-taxes put us in a huge hole, we faced a choice: invest in our town's future, or give up. FTM voters made the difficult choice to stand up for Tiverton. Subsequently, the schools and the unions agreed to necessary contract concessions.Tiverton is in better financial shape than many towns because of these efforts.

We are a community with differing views. Some prefer lower taxes and fewer services; others are willing to pay more for improved services. The Budget Committee has balanced short-term concerns with long-term needs. There are two possible outcomes on Saturday: people commit one morning to support a reasonable budget, or drastic cuts are made that result in a year of turmoil and divisiveness. I encourage all who want to preserve Tiverton to attend and support the Budget Committee's recommendations. At the end of the day, what matters isn't how many people agree with a sensible plan for the town, but how many show up at the FTM and vote for it.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI