[Reading Pride]

Frequently Asked Questions

Release 1, 2003-03-19

What is Reading's current financial situation?

Reading is facing a severe financial crisis. Largely due to spiraling health care benefit costs and state mandated education programs, the town's budget has been under pressure for several years. Now we are facing even greater cuts.

Why is Reading's situation so dire?

There are three major factors behind this crisis:

  1. We have spent our reserves. Reading has spent nearly all of our reserves, over $4 million, in an effort to maintain services while living within the limits of Proposition 2 1/2.
  2. We have already cut to the bone. Over the past three years, the town of Reading has already cut firefighters, police officers, teachers, capital expenditures, and positions at the DPW, town hall and library. No department has been spared.
  3. State aid is being slashed. The final blow for Reading comes from the current crisis at the state level. The state has already cut our local aid by $1,000,000 through 2003. In 2004, state aid will be reduced by an additional $1,500,000. Beacon Hill, however, has provided no relief from the many mandates they have imposed on us. Reading must come up with the money to pay for these programs.

Doesn't Reading spend more than other towns already?

Reading has a revenue problem, not a spending problem. Our per capita spending ranks 108 out of 351 communities in the state, yet our schools rank close to 20th on the MCAS, we just won the state science olympiad for the 11th year in a row, and our police, fire, library and other town services are all top notch. In every category we spend less than many of our neighboring and comparable communities. State aid has been cut drastically, our financial reserves are depleted, and we have already made substantial cuts.

Has this crisis affected our ability to borrow money?

Yes. Wall Street has already lowered our bond rating once this year. This means we will pay a higher interest rate on the money we borrow for capital projects.

Does the override have to be so big?

The override is actually a conservative solution. The town is not trying to add back positions or services cut in previous years. The override is set at the amount necessary to maintain the current level of services.

Why don't we use the money from the landfill and other new developments?

The Jordans/Home Depot, Spence Farm, and Longwood Farm developments will not solve this crisis. The cash from the sale of the landfill will not be available to the town until the landfill is capped, and even then the money is restricted by law and cannot be used to fund operating (day-to-day) expenses. In addition, tax revenues from all these projects will not come in time for this fiscal year.

What will be cut if the override fails?

The town has recommended the following cuts to balance the budget if the override fails:

How will these cuts affect Public Safety?

With the proposed cuts to the fire department, Reading will forfeit its right to mutual aid from neighboring towns. Mutual aid is a system in which surrounding towns provide fire and ambulance support for each other in the event of multiple emergencies. If we don't have adequate manpower to help them, they will no longer have to help us. In addition, our emergency preparedness will be compromised as police officers become ill equipped and understaffed to respond adequately to homeland security requirements. With fewer crossing guards there will be greater risk to children at busy intersections.

How will the proposed cuts to Public Works affect Reading?

There will not be enough manpower or materials to repair potholes, cracks and crumbling pavement. Streets and sidewalks may not be plowed for days after winter snowstorms, slowing emergency vehicles and stranding cars in times of heavy snow. Park maintenance will be minimal; the town will no longer collect trash at public parks and the trash barrels will be removed. Cuts to mosquito control will increase the danger of encephalitis, West Nile Virus and other mosquito-born diseases.

How will the proposed cuts affect the schools?

The reduction in teachers would drive class sizes up to as many as 40 children per classroom. Sixth graders would receive only ½ year each of science and social studies. This will have a direct impact on our MCAS performance. We would also eliminate the entire middle school foreign language program and the entire K-12 remedial reading program.

How will the library be affected?

The proposed cuts would cause the library to lose state certification. Loss of certification would cost the town an additional $30,000 a year in state grants and preclude us from participating in interlibrary lending.

Is this override forever?

Yes. The tax increase authorized by this vote does not have an automatic expiration date so it will be permanent unless the town takes action in the future to reverse it.

Will this override help the fall 2003 budget problem - i.e. will there still be layoffs this fall?

The override would help this fall. The town's finances are managed on a fiscal year running from July 1 to June 30. This override would provide revenues for the year beginning on July 1. The amount of the override was set at a level that should allow us to avoid any layoffs this year.

Will this override pay for additional staff for the new elementary school?

No. There will be no new staff for the school until the next fiscal year. Beyond that these funds are part of the town's general revenues and cannot really be tracked to a particular use.

How does this tax increase effect folks on a fixed income?

Folks on a limited income may avail themselves of the MA "Circuit Breaker" program which provides property tax relief to low and moderate income senior citizens. For more info call Brad Jones at 617-722-2100 or visit www.dor.state.ma.us/help/guides/Abate_Amend/personal/issues/realestate.htm

How much will this cost?

For an average home in Reading with an assessed value of $355,000 taxes will increase by $562.

What will Reading Pride do with the information collected while phoning residents?

The goal of this campaign is to identify YES voters. We will need every YES vote we can muster to win this election. We want to ensure that every supporter is able to cast their vote on April 8.

How can I vote if I'm not able to get to the polls on April 8?

Registered Voters qualify to vote by Absentee Ballot if

  1. they are away on business or vacation on April 8 or
  2. they have a physical disability.
To vote in person, go to Town Hall before April 8. To vote by mail, ask the Town Clerk to mail you an application and then a ballot. Please allow ample time for mailing.

Where can I get more information?

Reading Pride