Village residents, I need your input on the Village budget. The central question is, should we as Village residents allow Town outside-the-Village residents to have the same level of access and pay the same fees for EJRP programming? The proposed Village budget (beginning 7/1/2019) includes an elimination of the non-resident fee for Town outside the Village residents. Additionally, Town outside-the-Village residents will also be able to sign-up for EJRP programs at the same time as Village residents – ending the advance sign-up for Village residents. This comes as the Town's Essex Recreation and Parks department will co-locate with the Village's Essex Junction Parks and Recreation department at Maple Street Park later this year.

The money we are talking about is estimated to be about $7,000 which is minimal given the over $5 Million Village general fund. For me, this isn't about the $7,000. It is about the $657,000 in EJRP administration (not programs or child care) we as Village residents will pay that the Town outside-the-Village residents will not pay. It is about the mornings EJRP program registration begins where my wife (and many other parents) get on the computer at 7:58am constantly refreshing the EJRP website to sign our son up for programs so we don't get on the waitlist. It is about the right we as Village residents have by paying our taxes to be first in line and get a discount on EJRP programs. Should Town residents have this same right?

Don't get me wrong, I want the Town and Village to be one government. I want one charter, one board, one budget, and one vote for our community. While I'm in favor of one community we are not there yet. The Town and the Village are governed by different charters, different boards, different budgets, and different votes. Until we get to one community, we should not take this step.

If you have concerns about this please come to the Village Offices at 2 Lincoln Street, next to the Brownell Library, this Tuesday the 12th at 6:30pm for the only public hearing on the budget before it goes to be voted on in April. If you cannot make it please email all of the Village Trustees at abrown@essexjunction.org, gtyler@essexjunction.org, ehaney@essexjunction.org, dkerin@essexjunction.org, lhoughton@essexjunction.org.

Thank you,
Andrew

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