LETTER: Chairman Breton Displays Fiscal Leadership

The following is a letter to the editor. To submit your own, email michael.ryan@patch.com

By Ken Eyring

At the Board of Selectmen meeting this past Monday, Dave Sullivan (Windham’s Town Administrator) proposed increasing the town budget from $12.4M to $12.7M.  This proposal represents a modest increase of 2.73 percent – but it does not include any changes in the police and firefighters contract, which are still in negotiations. 

I believe that while the proposed increase of $300K could be considered a relatively small amount by many, Chairman Breton replied, “A $337,000 increase in spending is above comprehension for me”.  My first reaction was one of sincere appreciation. 

I’ve always believed that our elected officials should spend our taxpayer money as if it were their own – and over the years that Chairman Breton has served as a Selectman, he has continued to hold that value close to his heart.  His leadership and fiscal restraint is reflected in each of the town’s budgets during the years he has served as a Selectman – resulting in our town’s controlled, responsible spending. The town budget (which is separate from the school budget), has remained flat for at least four years – which is quite an      achievement.  Especially since fiscal responsibility seems to be lacking in most elected officials at all levels of government.

Over the past few years I know too many people in our community that have had difficulty making ends meet, with some losing their homes.  These sad and unfortunate situations place additional burdens on their      families and negatively impact their children.  Mr. Breton’s sensitivity to      these types of economic realities is something I hope all of our elected officials will embrace, and take to heart that it is their responsibility as our public servants to be good stewards of our tax dollars.