HomeMy Public PortalAboutresolution Question 3ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Mark S. Sideris,
Council President
Stephen P. Corbett,
Vice President
John A. Donohue,
Councilor At Large
Susan G. Falkoff,
Councilor At Large
Anthony Palomba,
Councilor At Large
Angeline B. Kounelis,
District A Councilor
Cecilia Lenk,
District B Councilor
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.,
District C Councilor
John J. Lawn, Jr.,
District D Councilor
Watertown Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
Resolution #74
RESOLUTION REGARDING QUESTION 3
R-2010-74
WHEREAS, voters in the November 2, 2010 election will vote on a proposal to reduce
the Massachusetts sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 3 percent (Question 3); and
WHEREAS, the outcome of the vote on Question 3 will have a significant and
immediate impact on the state's current budget (FY 11), and most likely will have a
significant and immediate impact on Watertown's current budget (FY 11), due to the
fact the state would face a major loss in revenue midway through FY 11; and
WHEREAS, passage of Question 3, according to the Governor's Budget Office, would
result in Municipal and School aid programs in the state budget of more than $600
million of new budget cuts in FY 12; and
WHEREAS, additional budget cuts for next fiscal year would be on top of more than
$800 million cuts that have already been made by the Governor and the State
Legislature since 2008; and
WHEREAS, this would lead to a loss to Watertown of at least $1 million in local aid
annually, which would severely limit the town's ability to provide local services such as
education, public safety, elder services, veterans services, and public works; and
WHEREAS, this would also lead to deep cuts in other state -funded services that are
essential to Watertown residents, including higher education, health care, and
environmental protection;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the City known as the
Town of Watertown: Finds that the passage of Question 3 would have a significant
negative impact on our budget, our community, and our economy; and respectfully
recommends that the voters of Watertown vote NO on Question 3.
Council Member
I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was
present, the above resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of for, against,
present on October 12, 2010.
Valerie Papas, Council Clerk Mark S. Sideris, Council President