From the Issue:
April 2011
By Russell Butler, Selectman
A mandate was given by the voters of Troy on March 9th to reduce spending. The good folks of Troy turned out in large numbers to the annual meeting. Additional chairs were set up to handle the overflow of voters. The meeting lasted well into the evening with much review, discussion and changes. Ballot votes were cast. The outcome produced an operating budget that was 1.3% less than the prior year’s voted budget. The biggest changes came from the Warrant Articles. A few modifications were made, along with some rejections. The savings to the tax payer amounts to about $137,973 this year and as much as $524,777 over the next five years. With Troy being a small town, this is a huge savings at a time when gasoline, food, clothing, home heating, etc. expense are climbing.
The voters’ effect was felt throughout town government. $60,497 was rejected for a fourth full time police officer. $26,850 was voted down for a replacement police vehicle. Fire Department. SCBA gear and air compressor with a possible five year cost of $140,441 was rejected. A $40,000 used excavator was turned down for the Highway Department.
The town also voted to not accept and maintain Forest Road. This is a small Class VI (6) road that comes off Bigelow Hill Road. The saving is unknown, since the cost to bring this road to Class V (5) standards and maintain the road was never established in the Warrant Article.
When all was said and done, the folks of Troy came, spoke and set forth their mandate.
