Windsor Budget Vote on May 10

 So, why do you live in Windsor? Did you come here for a better education for your kids? Or your first house? Were you born here and stayed? What keeps you here? Great recreational opportunities? Our low crime rate? A diverse, middle-class community?

For people who live here, Windsor is a great town, a great place to raise a family. One thing that makes it great is the services you and I pay for. We pay for the schools our neighbors kids go to, or the senior services our parents use, or the police and fire protection we all need.

No doubt these aren’t the best economic times. We’ve all been affected by the economic downturn. Our town government has been living on a frugal budget for several years now. Do you remember there has been no property tax increase in 4 of the past 6 years? Those amenities, and necessities, we all expect and enjoy don’t come free. This year, the Town Council is asking voters to approve the budget at the May 10 referendum. That budget has only a 1% spending increase, and a 2.2% tax increase. (The tax increase is higher than the spending increase due to reduced revenues outside of the property tax.)

In a community, we sacrifice for each other. I don’t use all the services our taxes pay for, and probably, neither do you. But I don’t mind paying for services others will use, because, that’s what community members do.

Will you take a few minutes of your day to vote for our community by voting Yes in the budget referendum? If we don’t pay attention, cutting back on investment in our services will slowly turn Windsor into a place not worth living in. We can’t let that happen. Please vote Yes on Tuesday, May 10, from 6 am-8pm, at your usual voting spot.