Third proposed Preston school budget headed to referendum July 26
Preston — Residents agreed to send the third version of the proposed 2016-17 school budget to referendum July 26 with no changes to the $11.218 million budget set by the Board of Finance two weeks ago.
The referendum will be held at Town Hall from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 26.
Voters twice rejected the budget at referendums held on May 19 and June 21.
After the first defeat, the Board of Finance cut $100,000 from the original $11.3 million budget.
After the new $11.238 million budget was defeated by five votes, the Board of Finance cut $20,000 and presented the new $11.218 million.
At the start of Thursday's town meeting, Board of Finance member Andy Bilodeau attempted to cut another $118,250 from the budget, but the approximately 40 people at the town meeting voted overwhelmingly to reject that cut.
Resident Sue Strader argued in favor of the proposed budget, saying teachers and families with students are “in limbo,” not knowing what cuts might come.
She said 3.5 percent of the original budget represented fixed costs.
Board of Finance Chairman Norman Gauthier urged residents to approve the recommended budget at the July 26 referendum.
He said the town now is operating without an approved budget and with no tax revenue, because tax bills will be delayed until the referendum approval.
“We have no tax revenue right now,” Gauthier said. “We're keeping the lights on using the contingency.”
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
