March 29, 2024

My Two Cents

Posted

Happy New Year! It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were talking about the town’s budget…probably because we’ve been talking about it for six months! Well, if you are having trouble sleeping, tune in the Selectman meetings in February as we start the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year. I’m kidding…kinda…it is boring but it will help to educate you on what revenue is available and what our current services and programs cost.

I’ve said it before, after the 2 ½ override failed, I think we cut a little too deep in both the police and highway department. We actually cut a little too deep in most departments but cutting a little too deep in public safety is of concern to me…and I’m sure you as well. I think we need to take a hard look at what type of community we want to live and what it will cost. I’m sure we all want to see our police officers on the road…I think the more police presence the less crime. Many think, what happens in Rehoboth? A house break, a traffic accident, speeding? Yes to all of those and more. The police in the last few months have confiscated close to a ½ million in drugs, found a dead body (apparent suicide) and have assisted in arresting persons with outstanding warrants, assisting other law enforcement agencies as well as stopping vehicles for traffic violations and answers residents call to 911. Stuff happens everywhere…we are no different. It’s important that we keep an experience, well trained staff to keep town the way we all like it….safe and well protected.

The town recently signed on to look at ways to save money on your electric bill. I had a lot of questions and I’m sure you did as well. We recently brought in a representative from Good Energy and SRPED, who initiated this aggregation. I will try to explain this so you have a better understanding of what we are doing and how it may benefit you. First, the rates are going up because there is a shortage in Natural Gas, which is used to produce electricity. The first priority, as we (the Selectman were told) goes to those who use it to heat their homes. National Grid buys electricity, they do not produce it. They only buy at designated times so they don’t necessarily get the best price and therefore you don’t either. There are two components to your electric bill….the cost of the electricity and the distribution (getting it into your house). National Grid will continue to be the provided for the distribution part…and no they can’t raise the rates if you do not purchase the electricity from them. You will only get one bill and it will note who you are purchasing the electricity from and a separate charge for the distribution (getting into your house). You do have to opt out, but it supposedly a very simple process. They have to do that in order to purchase at the best price. They get all the information from National Grid on all the users in town so they can go out to bid for all of us. The selectman will decide how long to “lock in” for…24 or 36 months and the source of the electricity (if we add a green component). While we have heard our electric bill will go up as much as 37%, I want to make it clear that purchasing elsewhere will not eliminate this increase entirely. It is estimated that the average household (conservatively) will see about $20 reduction in the electric bill…no where near the 37%. Remember, the distribution charge is not affected by this aggregation. There are other programs/companies out there offering similar . Be sure to ask some pertinent questions, such as, how long is the term, is the price locked in, is there any penalty for opting out. The town offer a program with a long term price locked in and NO penalty for opting out. All discounts, credits still apply…such as credits for farmers, small business, etc… That doesn’t change. The only thing that changes is who you buy your electricity from and how much you will pay. We will continue to pass along information about this program. The plan is to have this in place by early spring. The town’s website has some information on it as well.

We continue to look as ways to streamline the budget, improve efficiencies and offer programs and services for very little or reduced cost. This is all possible for the many volunteers and employees we have in town. There are so many boards and committees in town that you are probably not even aware of….but most are volunteers or elected officials who get little to no compensation for their efforts. I think in the end, we all want the same thing. We all want to live in a safe community, with critical services, good school system within a budget we can all afford. I couldn’t imagine what our budget would look like if we had to pay for all of these services or programs….like our IT committee, historical commission, agricultural committee, board of health, planning board, cemetery commission, cultural committee and many, many more. All giving their experience, knowledge and expertise to the town for a zero cost.

I never like to pit one department or group against another. I think it serves no purpose and only hinders the entire process. It’s not the school’s fault that their budget is the largest piece of the town budget. I don’t believe there is anyone who wouldn’t want more money into the classrooms for kids. I think that we should have a school resource officer in the elementary and middle schools. And I don’t think necessarily spending more money will give you a better service or education. We hear that the state funding of chapter 70 money ( school funding) has Rehoboth as a “wealthy” community. While we may have that tag, there are many residents who find it difficult to pay the costs of staying in their homes….from property taxes, utilities, food, etc….difficult. They don’t’ really care or want to hear that our property taxes are low in comparison…they only know it’s a struggle. It doesn’t mean they don’t want the best education and best services. So during this budget process let’s stop telling people how low their taxes are or that the town just needs a prop 2 ½ override. Don’t try to divide one department or group against another. Since the schools have the largest budget, it makes sense to take a long look at what is the driving cost factor. Development has risen over that the last 10 years, yet the enrollment has continue to decline but the school budget has continued to rise, why? Until we identify the underlying problem, we will never have a solution. We all need to be accountable. Don’t get defensive or try to protect your “budget” because you are afraid if it gets reduced this year, you won’t get it back the following year when you might need it. Again, I think we all want the same thing…we want more money in the classroom and give our kids the best education; we want to know that we have enough police officers to keep us safe and protected; we want to know that if we are in need of the fire department they are there; we want to make sure our streets are cleared and safe to travel; we want to make sure there are services available to senior and veterans or anyone else who may need a helping hand; we want to protect our rural character and our natural resources. We all want the same thing.

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