In town elections, we need a common understanding of financial facts. We should choose the best candidates to lead our town forward, and not descend into the alternative realities of recent national elections.
Claims about financial stewardship are at the heart of our Select Board contests. But the following facts are uncontestable.
In 2024, the Finance Committee projected that debt service for the new middle school would increase taxes on the median priced home by $509 in FY24 and $488 in FY25. This explains much of the “sticker shock” over recent tax increases. But Town Meeting voted decisively to approve the new middle school, and we are obligated.
When the Finance Committee introduced a warrant article for a small school budget reduction last year that was supported by the Select Board, it was rejected at Town Meeting.
School operating budgets have come in near Finance Committee guidelines, but costs on a per student basis continue to rise as enrollments fall. In 2026, for example, the per student operating cost at CCHS is scheduled to increase by 8.47%.
The town has more employees than it did 10 or 15 years ago. But West Concord now has a full-time EMS team. We have two school resource police officers. In response to business community demands, we now have a director of tourism/economic development. Information technology staffing has gone up, as it has in most organizations. This year, the Select Board is already hearing complaints about cuts necessary to meet guidelines.
In short, we have chosen as a town to take on these costs. Let’s take responsibility for our decisions. There is no one to blame; this is our collective responsibility.
Frank Feeley
Lexington Road
