Financial Forum A Rally In Support Of Town, Override

The question didn't appear to surprise anyone in the Community Room at the Reading Public Library Wednesday night. In a town where some feel officials haven't spent their tax money wisely, why should residents want to give them even more?

Given that most in attendance at Reading's second Financial Forum were on one committee or another, it's not surprising answers came fast and furious with universal support of the town's decision makers. It started with Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, continued with selectmen Barry Berman, then School Committee member Elaine Webb and Finance Committee members Anne Landry and Eric Burkhart.

"The default position is to not trust government," said Burkhart. "We believe the town is very well run."

But as LeLacheur has said before, it's not the people in the room he's concerned about. Assuming the Board of Selectmen do the expected next Tuesday (Jan. 30) and approve an override vote, it will be up to the more than 18,000 registered voters in Reading to answer that question.

Summer budget discussions led to a survey, which had comments that started more discussion. December was filled with budget presentations at the library as LeLacheur and various department heads turned the whole process into an example of extreme transparency. If one reason the October 2016 override failed was a lack of town transparency, it certainly shouldn't be a concern when residents vote April 3. Pretty much every dollar the town and schools spend is just a click away.

December led to January and the Reading Schools. On Monday, at its fifth meeting of the month, the School Committee voted both a balanced budget with painful cuts, and an override budget that will need voters to approve an additional $2,436,000.

Last night's Financial Forum was the 11th budget meeting since December 1 and the last chance to review all the presentations and ask questions. There will be public comment at the Selectmen's meeting but at that point the subject on the table will be the amount of the override. Don't plan on going there to complain that the School Committee should have cut athletics instead of middle school language. That ship has sailed.

LeLacheur and School Superintendent John Doherty again explained phrases like accommodated costs, while others did the same with free cash. The difficult restraints of Prop 2 1/2 were mentioned numerous times and one resident asked if the town could ignore Prop 2 1/2 and ask voters to support Reading's own Prop 3 1/2. The answer was no.

"I know passions are running hot," said John Arena, chair of the selectmen, and clearly aware of what's being said in town and on social media.

With most of the room on some town committee, the override had wide-spread support. But more than 18,000 voters weren't in attendance and it will be up to them to decide if Reading will pass its first override since 2003. Voters said no to a $7.5 million dollar override in October 2016.

The town has done its part. Tuesday the selectmen will decide on a figure. Sometime in the days following, residents will learn how much that figure will increase their taxes. Are better schools and improved public safety worth it to you, and you, and how about you? On April 3 we'll find out.

Photo by Bob Holmes