Turn up, vote, then let's move on

To the Editor:

June 8 is fast approaching — the day we vote on several issues.

The budget committees for the school and town have worked tirelessly to come up with ways we can afford the services the district and town needs. Let’s hope that next year finds us all in a better place financially. Even with the cutbacks it’s a given that our taxes will go up next year.

I’ve done a lot of thinking about our police protection. Mr. Doar kindly gave me a copy of the agreement for law enforcement protection with Oxford County. I’ve read it and feel the County would provide us with what we need. I have heard concerns from some that we’d need to hire outside officers for our special functions in town. The answer to that is “No.” The agreement is very comprehensive and also provides for termination of the contract if it is found to not be in the best interest of the town.

When I considered the $295,000 for County police protection I also needed to consider the fact that all towns in Oxford County pay the County a certain amount based on the assessed tax evaluation of that town. Bethel’s preliminary County calculation for next year is $293,644. A portion of that figure would be allocated for police protection. It is next to impossible to extrapolate that figure. I’d venture to say that it is at least $60,000. Since the preliminary Bethel Police budget is $453,796 that leaves a difference of about $98,796 more than what contracting with the County would cost.

There are so many different aspects to consider regarding this issue. A member of the Budget Committee told me that it was like comparing apples and oranges. So where does that leave us? I don’t pretend to know the answer. It’s up to the voter to decide.

Let’s hope for a good turnout so we may all move on. See you at the polls.

Pat Carter

Bethel