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Community Corner

A Message from Oxford First Selectman George Temple

This is a message from Oxford First Selectman George R. Temple

 

     As Oxford’s First Selectman, I feel it is my duty to discuss the May 13, 2014 budget referendum which will be held in Oxford at the Quaker Farms School from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Like most of you, I would like to spend as little as possible but I believe it is very important to move the town forward.

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     Our town is in very good financial shape and we enjoyed a $1.4 million surplus last year. We enjoy a very good bond rating and have therefore been the recipient of very low interest rates to finance our bonds. This fact alone has saved the town hundreds of thousands of dollars in renegotiated loan interest rates.

    This year you will be asked to vote on three budgetary issues. The first issue is the town budget. This is the budget that the Board of Selectmen has recommended to the Finance Board. This budget was unanimously supported by the Town Meeting to send to the voters for the referendum. The budget is extremely frugal and will allow us to adequately fund not only our safety functions (fire, police, ambulance and public works) but also our quality of life issues such as town government, parks and recreation, library, senior center and transportation.) The total increase in this budget is approximately 0.3 percent. We will also be allowed to purchase much needed public works, fire and ambulance equipment. In short, this is a “no brainer.’’

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    The next item for your consideration is the Board of Education budget. This budget represents an increase of about $1 million. That is a lot of money; however $700,000 of this is related to contractual and union requirements. It is what it is. The remaining $300,000 includes among other items, all day kindergarten.

    All day kindergarten has been a controversial issue. I stated that I was opposed to this initially, but after many hours of discussion with our superintendent and parents, I realized that there is a valid reason for supporting this issue. I know that sooner or later we will have full day kindergarten in Oxford. More than likely it will be mandated by the state. I believe that we should now offer the option to kindergarten parents.

   Over the past two years, I have learned to trust the financial honesty of the Board of Education. In the past two years they have returned about $500,000 in unused funds back to the town. Such a gesture is not common by Boards of Education. In fact, the Oxford Board of Education is the only Board of Education that I know of that has done this. I know that they are very money conscious and in fact conservative. If this board says we need an increase they have earned my respect and therefore I believe them.

     Our education system is very highly rated in the state and has increased its rating in the past two years. I don’t want to slide back. I am mindful of the plight of our seniors and others in town on fixed incomes, but for a variety of reasons, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. As a parent of a 2014 graduate of Oxford High School, I can attest to the professional caring attitude of our educators and administrators.

   Finally, I would like to recommend the issue of town roads. We all see how a well surfaced road enhances the beauty of a neighborhood. We are currently resurfacing Quaker Farms Road and Christian Street. To continue the road program, we must approve Item 3 which will allow for an additional $734,000 for paving our roads. The condition of our roads says a lot about our town.

   As you can see, I support this year’s Board of Finance budget. I know some people do not and in fact, some of my friends and supporters don’t. We are all entitled to our opinion but please; let your voice be heard on May 13th. Go Wolverines!

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