Relect Muriel Kramer

Hopkinton Selectwoman, 2008

Leadership Tested With Tough Decisions

Muriel Kramer for Selectman, Proven Leadership to make Tough Decisions

 

            Hard decisions have to be made at budget time; the financial pressures created by a struggling national economy, rising fuel costs, and mounting federal or state mandates coupled with insufficient aid make for difficult budget decisions. 

            Taxes in Hopkinton will go up next year even without an operational override because of the 2.5% increase.  The Ann ual Town Meeting (ATM) warrant includes numerous money articles that will, if passed, increase taxes dramatically.  Unless we are disciplined at TM and the ballot, the tax increase will be substantial.

            Outlined here are some initiatives the Board is working on with all town departments to improve the financial outlook.

                                                               

            Ongoing budget management initiatives:

                                     

  • Consolidation of services: Technology, Human Resources, Facilities
  • Town-wide reduction in debt ceiling
  • I&I repairs, increase capacity, reduce costs
  • Legacy Farms Development to be fiscally positive
  • Financial Working Group projections and action items
  • Re-negotiated health care benefits (>$300,000 savings)
  • Managed Capital Budget
  • Better planning to address operating and maintenance costs
  • Chief Financial Officer hired
  • Mitigation for new developments
  • Supporting developments in East Hopkinton, Downtown and West Hopkinton

 

            Contributing factors in my decision not to support an operational override:

 

  • $1,000,000 outstanding property taxes already in FY’08
  • Declining student enrollments
  • Flat economy, mortgage lending crisis, rising fuel prices
  • Huge rate payer increases, more coming
  • Structural deficit worsened by sustaining the operational budget via override votes— recurring costs need recurring revenue sources or the problem worsens

 

            It is a struggle to balance tough economic demands, but increased taxes are not the answer.  We have to be smart about balancing the needs of the entire town while working to increase the commercial tax base, support sustainable growth and reduce the imbedded structural budget deficit.

 

            Please vote for Muriel Kramer on May 19th.