Well is dry for ‘Man on the Street’ in Caribou

To the editor:
    This is not about being a Democrat or Republican or whatever. It is about using common sense, intelligence, and a conservative financial approach. Many of us have seen over our lifetimes how reckless spending and inadequate planning have led to disastrous financial results. I believe our country is in this condition now.     Again, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a Democratic or Republican administration, it has been developing for years. Many of our elected officials, I believe, have allowed growth to go uncontrolled without a thought of how the “Man on the Street” is going to pay for it. I hope I am not just a “senior citizen” complaining, but I am concerned about spending policies and lack of “common sense” when considering these programs. This concern is for the federal government down to and including my “senior citizen” tax dollars. After all, it is our money in our pockets on which these spending programs are based.
    You are all aware of the recent election results in Massachusetts. This went deeper than political parties, health care, or whatever. I believe it was a reaction of the “Man on the Street” to stop the direction in which the country is going, regroup, and use common sense and a more conservative approach when spending someone else’s money.
    Getting “free money” from state or federal sources always has consequences. Two cases in point: First, as I remember, Caribou received a substantial sum to build a boat ramp. I am very pleased for this addition to the town amenities, but did we consider the ongoing costs, although I agree very small, to maintain this facility? There will be trash pickup, clean up and ongoing maintenance.
    Secondly is the path around Collins Pond, which I walk with my dog, Scooter. This is a most peaceful walk. After parking your car, you can walk through the woods, across the bridge and past the sports complex, and continue on over the elevated walk and so on. It has, however, fallen on hard times, with signs being torn down, fence rails broken out and trash everywhere. There is a cost to maintain this facility, and police patrol I imagine would head the list. Just these two examples require additional manpower which I am sure is taxing the responsible departments.
    Do not misunderstand my point — these facilities are very nice for our town but the maintenance costs go on forever. Couple these costs with other projects, much bigger to be sure, and local government continues to grow and costs continue to escalate. Is our town growing? Are we attracting new businesses and/ or residents? Or would low taxes be a big draw?
    This is the time of year I believe when our city officials are preparing a new budget. This is a very critical year. We must maintain zero increase in spending — salaries, benefits, new projects, large scale upgrading, vehicle purchases, etc. We can do it. Do we still have that approximately 1/2 mil (for current year and 1/2 mil for next year) that the consolidated school department gave us last year?
    We cannot always blame the state or federal government for less than expected financial payments; we must get our own house in order. As you know, there was no increase in Social Security this year, yet many other costs have gone up, and I personally expect this to continue for some time. I must get my “in house” budget to compensate. I have no “well” to go to. When the Wellness Center was conceived, I understand the people of Caribou voted for a 1-mil increase to pay for it. When the Center is paid for in 2011, will the 1-mil increase in our property taxes be returned to the taxpayer, or will local government keep it to finance additional growth, pay bills, or whatever?
    Remember the town is going to be reappraised in 2011 and you and I will be taxed on that new appraisal in 2012. Expenditures must be controlled starting now! It has been told to me by a few unrealistic individuals that as property values increase through new appraisals, the mil rate will decrease to equal out. Have we all not heard horror stories of a tax bill received after a new appraisal?
    I have recently reviewed my own financial picture — figuring life expectancy, guaranteed assets on hand and fixed expenses, and I know how much money I can spend yearly, even monthly, so I won’t run out. Shouldn’t the city government adopt a similar approach? If I run short, I must immediately regroup — much to my wife’s displeasure — as I cannot go to the “well” for more. I feel the city and the taxpayers have the same relationship; the “well” of course being the taxpayer!
    I am reading Sarah Palin’s book — I encourage you to read this — not from the perspective of political philosophy but from the perspective of her approach to finances. As they say “this should be required reading” for folks that handle our city’s finances.
    In closing, please contact your councilperson and ask him or her to hold growth and expenditures to zero growth — you and I both have to.