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Winchester Town approves proposed budget for posting; public presentation set for May 12 at Gilbert School
Summary
Town officials unanimously approved the proposed municipal budget for posting, said it will be published online, and scheduled a public presentation at 7 p.m. May 12 at the Gilbert School. Officials said the earliest referendum vote could occur the week of Memorial Day, with absentee ballots available after the referendum is set.
Winchester Town officials unanimously approved the proposed municipal budget and said they will post the plan on the town website and social media and hold a public presentation at 7 p.m. May 12 at the Gilbert School.
The vote to accept the proposed budget as presented was recorded as unanimous. Town officials said the superintendent will present the Board of Education portion while town staff will present the town portion at the May 12 meeting. "She'll run through the board of ed portion. I'll run through the town portion of it," said Staff member (unidentified).
Why it matters: The posting and the public presentation start the town's referendum process for the budget. Officials said the posting will include details residents can use to estimate the mill rate impact on individual properties and that absentee ballots will be available after the referendum is set.
Officials said the town will publish the full proposed budget on its website and social channels. "We'll have it posted up on the town's website along with our social media pages," said Staff member (unidentified). The staff also said the town will update the mill-rate calculation tool to allow residents to view estimated tax impacts based on assessed home values.
The town scheduled a public walk-through of the budget on May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Gilbert School. Staff member (unidentified) said the superintendent would attend to cover the school district portion and that the board would be present to answer questions. "May 12 will be another opportunity to ask questions. Board will be there. I'll be there. The superintendent will be there," the staff member said.
On timing for the referendum, a town speaker said the earliest the budget vote could occur would be the day after Memorial Day and indicated May 26 as the likely earliest date, but cautioned the exact date depends on what is set at the town meeting that evening. "The soonest that the budget can be voted on is the day after Memorial Day, which I believe is the May 26," said Staff member (unidentified).
Officials described how residents may vote: in person beginning when polls open for the scheduled vote, or by absentee ballot once absentee voting is available. "You can request an absentee ballot and place your vote," said Staff member (unidentified). Town staff noted absentee ballots are available from the town clerk's office during business hours (not on weekends) and can be mailed back.
The meeting concluded after the budget-related actions. A motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
