May 20, 2008
- (Rutland Herald)
- "Residents
OK 1.5M BF budget" -
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Article published May 20,
2008
Residents OK $1.5M BF budget
By
Susan Smallheer Herald Staff
BELLOWS FALLS — Village residents gave the Bellows Falls Police
Department and the Bellows Falls Fire Department a vote of confidence
Monday, approving the proposed $1.5 million village budget with nary a
voice of dissent.
Turnout was high Monday night — prompted by members of the village
police department and fire department — who were wary of voters who
wanted to either cut the budget and their departments or turn the
village police department over to the county sheriff's department.
Together, the two departments represent the bulk of the village
spending.
Any talk of a tax revolt was short-lived, however, as voters made no
motion to trim the budget. The budget passed by an overwhelming voice
vote.
But voters bogged down on two advisory issues — whether to vote future
budgets by secret, all-day balloting and whether to form a police
community study committee. Both issues were narrowly defeated by voters.
The Australian ballot initiative was defeated 78 to 63, and the police
advisory committee was rejected on a tiny margin, 57 to 55.
"I can't thank the voters enough for coming out and supporting the
police department," said a seemingly excited Chief Ron Lake, who was
appointed chief in January by new Municipal Manager James Mullen. Lake
joined the force last summer.
Lake won accolades from many village residents, including one of the
department's sharpest critics, Trustee Stefan Golec, for implementing
cuts and improving morale.
The four trustees and outgoing Village President Clark Barber were
polled individually on their thoughts about the future of the police
department, and all said they wanted to give Lake another year on the
job and see what he could do to bring spending under control.
"He has lowered the budget and I'd like to see what he could do in a
year," said Trustee Roger Riccio.
Trustee Gary DeRosia, himself a former village police chief, said the
village residents had seen a "dramatic" change in the department since
Lake took over.
Resident Jamey Berrick said the village had had its own police
department for nearly 100 years, and he estimated it cost him only 26
cents a day in taxes.
"Give him a chance. Give him a year, see what he can do," Berrick said
of the new chief.
The fire department, which has also been a subject of debate in the
past, wasn't even discussed. The trustees recently appointed a study
committee to look at ways to save money.
Unionized members of the fire department passed out red informational
sheets outside the Bellows Falls Opera House, noting that the department
"provides fire protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a
year."
"Please vote in favor of the proposed village-wide level-funded budget
of $1,586,047. Do not let the vocal minority take away the current level
of fire protections and service that the community has had for the past
26 years," the informational sheet said.
More than 150 village voters filled the Bellows Falls Opera House Monday
to take up the budget. On Tuesday, voters will cast ballots for village
officers, including village president and village trustees.
Contact Susan Smallheer at susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com.
Contact Susan Smallheer at susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com. |
