On Monday, the town of Williamsburg will be voting to borrow over $5 million to tear down the Helen E. James School and build a public safety complex.
I wish to urge my friends and neighbors to proceed with caution in voting for the override. In addition to the borrowing, we will also be depleting our stabilization fund of $1 million. What concerns me is that raising our already high tax rate will limit our ability to come up with funds for any unforeseen emergencies that may arise in the next several years.
It will also make routine, scheduled vehicle and equipment purchases much more difficult to fund. If anything unforeseen happens to one of the town buildings or to the Hampshire Regional, will be hard pressed to be able to appropriate the funds needed. As a former firefighter, there is no doubt that our police and fire department facilities are substandard, we can all agree on that.
There is a real question in town about whether we need this extensive and expensive a facility. I’m a former selectman and current finance committee member and have been watching as this process wound its way to this conclusion. Many of us have participated in all boards meetings over the years and have been saying that we can’t afford this.
Since this process started about six years ago, we have watched as our tax rate has risen to the top 15 in the state. I believe that a town the size of Williamsburg with the limited services we have should not be taxing their citizens at this level. We need to do something for the fire and police, but I don’t believe this is it, we will put the town’s financial health in a precarious position.
Eric Cerreta
Haydenville