Three of the ballot questions
Editorial

It is a year of tough economics, which is clear by watching the for-sale signs in many area towns, filling up the gas tank, and going to the grocery store.

As part of this tough year, voters are being asked to help their towns and schools in either the form of one-year debt exclusions, a multiple-year debt exclusion, and a permanent override of Proposition 2 ½.

The important thing is that each voter takes a moment to really consider the issues before them on the ballot. If you are struggling to make ends meet and you know you can't afford anything, then maybe you do have to vote with your wallet, but other than that look at the issues before you on the ballot.

In Ashburnham, voters are going to be asked to fund two different studies for potential building projects - one for John R. Briggs Elementary and one for a senior center in the VMS Building.

Yes, many questions are still pending about both of these projects, but that is what these studies are supposed to do. The steps are supposed to answer questions and bring in the professionals to help start to make plans.

The other benefit to moving forward with the building studies is that the studies would take advantage of state or federal funding. We should work in whatever way we can to get more state and federal money in to the communities.

Voters in both Westminster and Ashburnham will be asked to share the cost of a $295,150 override for the regional school district. Yes, this one is permanently on your tax bills.

The increases are valued at 26 cents per $1,000 this year in Ashburnham and 10 cents per $1,000 in Westminster. But think of it this way; in Ashburnham it is less then the cost of filling up a SUV, and in Westminster it is less than the cost of filling up a compact car.

The polls are open on Tuesday, June 17, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in both Ashburnham and Westminster. The polls are located at John R. Briggs Elementary School on Williams Road in Ashburnham and at Westminster Elementary School in Westminster, respectively.