Finally, Goffstown's voters sent a clear and direct message to our two governing bodies this past Tuesday: "No new spending."

Thankfully both the town and school operating budgets passed, resulting in a savings of over $1 million compared to the default budgets.  Though these two articles accounted for the bulk of appropriations, only one sizeable request was granted by the voters:  $360,000 for the purchase of the mineral-rich Barnard Property.  The rest were minor appropriations such as those for the Main Street Program and milfoil control on Namaske Lake.

SCHOOL REQUESTS DENIED

What I find interesting, though, is that for the first time in recent memory, the Goffstown School District was rebuffed across the board.

Not only did a carefully crafted effort by school board chairman Keith Allard to push for the default budget fail miserably, but the Bartlett School appropriation request for $300,000 was voted down for the first time ever, as was the school board's request for permission to spend that money anywhere they wanted.

And most notable was the ouster of long-time Allard ally Phil Kendall from the school board. Not only did the voters send a clear message that they are tired of rampant school spending, but they voted in newcomer and fiscal conservative Jennifer Theroux to take his place.

What's also interesting to note is Allard's quote in yesterday's Goffstown News, "Obviously we do need to cut nearly $1 million from the budget. It’s going to be cuts out of all departments, including personnel."  His comment can only be considered obtuse, as the $35.6 million budget he was just granted by the voters is not a cut at all.  In fact it is a increase of $1 million over the school's current budget.  

What Allard is lamenting, as usual, is that the school board must now "cut" from the increases in the fluff-laden budget they wanted to have.

Finally Allard will have to sharpen his pencil, at least a little.  He was warned back in July by the Budget Committee to present a budget this year that contained only what he needed to operate.  That meant "no fluff".  

Too bad for him he didn't pay attention.  Good thing for us the taxpayers did.

BRAKES APPLIED TO VEHICLE SPENDING

It also appears voters did not take kindly to being told by Scott Gross, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, that they shouldn't be allowed to "pick and choose" how their money is spent and which vehicles should be purchased.  Gross spearheaded the board's decision to roll three vehicle purchases (one for the Fire Department and two for Public Works) into a single article, thereby denying voters the opportunity to decide on each individually.  

Bad move, Mr. Gross.  Next time you decide to buy a new sofa, let's hope you aren't forced to buy the entire living room set along with it.

NO "NICE TO HAVES"

Overall, the message from taxpayers was clear.  They told both governing bodies there was no room for the usual "Nice-To-Haves" this year.

Hopefully that message will not fall on deaf ears at Town Hall.  And if they want to remain in office, both the Board of Selectmen and the School Board need to pay attention this year before the next elections in 2011. 

They are less than a year away...

Guy Caron can be reached via e-mail at: GuyC@GoffstownResidentsAssociation.com

Past Columns by Guy Caron  >>>