What’s Going On in Harvard, and Why Are We Paying More for Less?
A Look at Town Budgets Across the Commonwealth

Monday, March 10th, 7 p.m.
Volunteers Hall at the Harvard Public Library

Presented by: John Robertson, Deputy Finance Director, Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
Jonathan Chinitz, Acton School Committee Chair (Former Acton Finance Committee member)

With increasing property taxes and repeated Proposition 2 ½ overrides just to keep services level, many towns across the Commonwealth are grappling with rising costs, limited revenue-raising opportunities and declining local aid. This structural deficit threatens communities by making it difficult to fund town and school operations, invest in infrastructure, and maintain healthy reserves. In addition, scarce resources lead to tension as citizens blame others in the system for the funding inadequacy. This forum will look at the drivers of the current fiscal climate and changes over the past 5 years, both at the commonwealth and municipal levels, as well as present an outlook for the future.

If you anticipate a need for childcare, please contact Virginia Justicz at Virginia@justicz.com to arrange for supervision in the Children’s Room.

In its continuing series of Voter Information forums, the League of Women Voters hopes to bring clarity and context to key issues facing Harvard and towns across Massachusetts.