town council news 10/6/10

District 5 News:

Hello,
News from the latest town council meeting September 15, 2010.
The council voted on the 2011 budget. It passed with a vote of 4-1 with mine being the lone NAY vote. I have raised concern about the increase in the budget and the whole process. We were told we could make cuts but once it is introduced it is more complicated to make any changes with out everyone in agreement. In my opinion the budget, with any cuts or changes needs to be done before it goes to public introduction then it can be voted on in a timely manner with out any chaos. All of my concern may have made a difference because the council members have asked that the department heads look at their budget and reduce it back to 2010 levels so there will be no increase in the totals. My hopes are that they go back down close but may be a bit above 2010 due to increases in costs for equipment, supplies and contractors. I did make my own proposals for changes amounting to 250k reductions. These may be doable or may not but felt it was my job to help find cuts where I saw the potential.
The bridges are in on the Pennsy trail. There is however some paint touch up needed which will be addressed by the manufacturer. This trail project has gotten so much interest from the press, the local residents and other distant entities that it really has me amazed.
This fall there is a referendum on the ballot for the schools. Everyone should go to the MVCSC web site to learn about it and even calculate the amount it will increase your tax bill. For a home with a total assessed value of around 175,000 the tax bill for this will be about $100.00 give or take. Now for a TOTALLY personal view. It does make me angry that the schools and government spend our tax dollars bailing out businesses, the financial sector and home buyers who bought more than they could afford. It makes me angry that the school boards use our tax dollars to build taj mahal’s for schools (nice marble floors and glass roofs do not make a child any smarter). But it is even more disheartening that these kids will be expected to pay back all of this spending and now we have to tell them they can not get the full range of education they need with out paying more to the schools for teachers and classes. They are the ones who are going to suffer at both ends. We really do need music and art and AP classes, I think we really do need forms of physical education in school because many Americans are unhealthy and it starts in childhood.
They have laid the final coat of surface on Washington street from town hall the Buck creek. They have also moved some of the barrels to the side of the road. I continue to ask to have them get all the barrels gone and be done with that end soon.
The owner of GEM utilities would still like to sell us the utilities and since he has made a huge rate increase I think the customers would like it as well. The town is still looking at a financing arrangement and I will be designed so there is no more outlay by the town and the payments will be made by those customers.
The farmers market will be wrapping up the season on Oct 30th and we will have entertainment in the form of a rock/reggae musician from Tennessee. We will also have a classic car cruise in that day so if you have a classic or antique car and want to bring it out you are very welcome. No fee, just hang out and enjoy the cars, music and market.


Joe Siefker
Cumberland town council.