Now that we have dealt with the important issues of gas stations, leaf blowers, water bottles and others, it's just trivial stuff from here on, like the town budget.
That statement is not meant seriously, but the outcome of most of our remaining votes are essentially foregone conclusions.
There is an interesting phenomenon that takes place, in that the lower the dollar amount on any article, the more vigorous the debate.
While this can seem silly, there is good reason for it.
The large ticket items cover established services.
We will be making payroll, for example.
Police and fire services will continue to be available, schools will remain open.
A comparatively small expenditure for a new sign somewhere? Do we need it? Why?
We will question new expenses, that may or may not be necessary, or justified.
Are we being penny wise and pound foolish?
One could argue that this risk exists, and there are almost definitely opportunities to save the taxpayers more money.
However an even more foolish venture would be to entrust a 252 member body with the minutiae of the town budget.
We have a Finance Committee, a Town Manager overseeing numerous departments, a Board of Selectmen, a School Committee and a Superintendent that do this work.
Town Meeting reviews the budgets carefully, even if we don't debate each detail, to see whether things continue to move in the right direction.
We have the ability to vote down the budget.
It would be something of a cataclysm if this ever occurred; but the power is there for good reason, as another check and balance in our system.
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