Belchertown officials speak out against Question 1

Daily Hampshire Gazette Friday, September 26, 2008

BELCHERTOWN - A catastrophic reduction in services could be in store for the residents of Belchertown if state Ballot Question 1 passes in November, members of the Board of Selectmen said this week.

Question 1 would eliminate the state income tax, which accounts for about 40 percent of overall state revenues, a total of $13-to-$14 billion annually, said Michael Reardon, selectmen's chairman. The town depends on state aid for about half of its approximately $40 million annual budget and could see a reduction in the neighborhood of $7 million to $8 million, he said.

"This is a binding resolution," Reardon said. Six years ago a similar ballot question garnered 45 percent of the vote, he said.

"It could mean that people die without ambulances, without police," said Reardon.

All members of the board spoke of dire consequences associated with passage of the question.

"Fire, police, DPW, Senior Center, they will all be reduced," said Ronald Aponte. And because the town has to fund certain services to levels specified by law, such as schools and veterans benefits, the impact on other departments would be proportionally higher, he said.

Cuts in services would likely result in different groups pushing for Proposition 2 ½ overrides to fund services they want and engender special interest groups, said Aponte. Property tax increases would hit some people who are unable to afford them, such as senior citizens on fixed incomes, he said..

"Be careful what you ask for because you might get it," he said. "I just see this as dangerous and I urge everyone to think this through."

The board directed Town Administrator Gary Brougham to have department heads prepare contingency budgets in case the question passes.

Those plans will be discussed at the board's Oct. 20 meeting.