Wrentham Holds Debt Exclusion Forum on Town Common

Wrentham officials held the second of two informational sessions about the June 4 debt exclusion ballot measure at the town common Thursday evening.

A small group gathered near the common's gazebo to learn more about the proposal and express their opinions.

Finance Committee Chairman Jerry McGovern opened the session by outlining the budget problems facing the town.

"Everybody wants to know why taxes don't keep up," he said. "Taxes only increase 1.8 percent every year — the rest is state aid, and state aid has dropped by $1.5 million. If we had that $1.5 million, we wouldn't be here today."

One citizen asked how much debt would remain under the tax levy, should the measure pass. Town Administrator William Ketcham said $800,000 worth of debt would remain.

McGovern said it is the town's intention to keep some of the debt in the levy.

"We debated whether to take everything out," he said. "One of the reasons we didn't was that we didn't want to solve all our problems with debt exclusion."

He added that a more comprehensive solution is needed for the town.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Joseph Botaish said Wrentham needed to examine revenue-boosting options, including an increased focus toward attracting businesses. He said part of the revenue shortfalll is because the town has lost businesses.

"Crosby Valve is gone. They left town, and took their business away," he said. "That building is worth $5 million, and the property is worth $1 million. They're going to level the building and sit on the property for 10 years, to see how the market turns."

Botaish said the town is currently attempting to convince the business not to tie up the property for that amount of time.

"We want to be proactive and incorporate the resources of the town," he said. "We wabt to reach out to the high school, to DECA, to market the town in a positive way."

"The problem we have is we're not friendly, and that's what we're known for," he said. "We are similar to Wellesley, as far as I'm concerned. Wellesley has been friendly to business, but it hasn't lost its charm. We don't want to be overdeveloped, but we need smart development."

He said the town occupies prime real estate, as Routes 1, 1A and 495 go through it.

"We're not going to see results from that until two or three years down the line, which is why we need the debt exclusion," he said.

A citizen expressed concern that the debt exclusion could make the town less attractive to prospective residents. She said other towns have lower tax rates, and are therefore more alluring.

Town officials said the debt exclusion would not be reflected in the published tax rate, and the town would work to maintain its character.

Charles Kennedy, a member of the Finance Committee, said the exclusion is preferable to an override.

"The idea was to have a solution that is temporary, not like an override, which is permanent," he said. "I know it's not easy for everybody, but services are getting to a critical point."

McGovern said services had been eroding for some time.

"We used to have 20 cops in town, and Wrentham was smaller then," he said. "We have five less teachers in the high school than eight years ago, and 300 more students."

"There's not much left to cut," he added.