FTR VOTE IS TOMORROW (TUES. MAY 21)

The annual Financial Town Referendum (FTR) to determine the town and school 
budget and the tax-rate is tomorrow (Tuesday, May 21). Three polling places will 
be open from 7a-8p: VFW Hall, Countryview, & Amicable Church. Sample ballot 
is available at the town website (www.tiverton.ri.gov). 
 
There is only one budget/tax levy option on the ballot, the one proposed by the 
Budget Committee, so it will automatically be approved. It continues to fund 
vital town and school services, and results in a tax-levy increase of 2.2%. 
 
There are also six "resolutions" that voters can approve or reject. Budget 
Committee Resolution 1 would adopt the Budget Committee's itemized budget 
proposal as the official town budget. Budget Committee Resolutions 2-4 would 
restrict certain funds to the purpose for which they were appropriated. Budget 
Committee Resolution 5 would return unused funds to the General Fund at the end 
of the fiscal year (excepting DPW funds for future paving). Town Council 
Resolution 6 would authorize the Council to sell any of five municipally-owned 
buildings at Fair Market Value. This would allow the Council to sell unneeded 
buildings promptly without having to call a special election or wait until next 
year's FTR for required voter approval. 
 
All six resolutions are in keeping with the goals of the budget proposal that 
will automatically be approved, and voters should consider approving them as 
well.