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April 7, 2009

Chariho District Votes Today

Carroll Andrew Morse

Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton are holding a referendum today on the school budget for Chariho District. From Andrew Martin of the Chariho Times

Voters will have the final say all-day April 7 on the proposed $53.3 million Chariho Regional School District budget for fiscal year 2009-10.

The budget represents a small increase over the current fiscal year, which stands at $53.1 million. But, after revenue, the member towns’ contribution actually sees a decrease for the upcoming fiscal year.

The current 2008-09 fiscal year’s total member towns’ contribution is $49.5 million. This coming year’s budget proposal calls for $49.3 million – a decrease of $210,798.

A few sources familiar with the situation have told me that they expect the vote to be close.

Comments

Chariho, like many other schools and towns, have been over budgeting for years thus stockpiling surplus. In this budget, $2.25mm from the surplus is being applied to the operating budget. So, while the money requested from the towns is relatively flat, costs have actually gone up 4.5%. Just kicking the can down the road…

But the three towns are still down over 500k each (cuts in state aid, lower revenues, etc) - since the school is 80ish% of the budget, we expected more relief than minimal increases.

Bill Felkner, Hopkinton Town Council

Posted by: Bill Felkner at April 7, 2009 4:21 PM

Every vote really does count
526 yes
527 No

Budget rejected by 1 vote.

Posted by: Bill Felkner at April 7, 2009 10:26 PM

Whoa.

What happens now, Bill?

Posted by: Monique at April 8, 2009 7:28 AM