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Resident criticizes town’s RFP process and Timberlane School budgets during public comment
Summary
Resident Ryan Labreck told the Board of Selectmen he was concerned about the town’s handling of a sole assessing-services proposal and urged the board to scrutinize the Timberlane School District’s budget after claiming large overtaxation figures for 2024 and 2025.
During public comment on March 3, resident Ryan Labreck raised concerns about the town’s recent action to move forward with a single proposal for assessing services and urged the board to ask more substantive questions before approving contracts.
Labreck said the town did not request resumes for individuals who would work periodically at Town Hall, did not bring the sole vendor in to discuss the proposal, and did not attempt to negotiate rates. He said those are reasonable steps to take when contracting services and urged the board to be more rigorous in vetting future contracts.
Labreck also criticized the Timberlane School District’s budget presentation to the board. He said the district’s budgets had produced what he described as $16,000,000 in “overtaxation” in 2024 and projected $15,000,000 in 2025. He urged selectmen to press Timberlane representatives on budgeting practices, to demand clearer explanations for tax impacts and to ensure the town’s elected representatives act on public concerns.
Labreck further raised a zoning and wetlands concern, urging residents to oppose involuntary prime-wetlands designation on private properties. He said public hearings and public comment should be taken seriously and asked the board to reflect majority views when a large portion of attendees favors or opposes an item.
The Board acknowledged the public comment and thanked Labreck; no formal board action was taken in response during the meeting.
