Dave how is the police pension you decided not to fund not buisness as usual it was underfunding things like this that got us in this mess to begin with.

Well Dave, you didn't show up at any of the budget committee meetings to justify the budget that was put forward by the TC which you are a member of. You didn't show up at any school committee meetings to learn about the school budget, and might I add you are supposed to be one of the TC liaison's to the school committee.

You and the rest of the TC caused the "aggressive litigation" when you took the school department money. This issue has been settled by the RI Supreme Court. Will you or the TCC be reimbursing the taxpayers of Tiverton for the all of the costs of the lawsuit that you were clearly wrong about?

Since you have no problem writing these letters I expect you to publish a response to my question:

Will the TCC be reimbursing the Town of Tiverton for the lawsuit with the schools? The TC clearly was wrong - including you.

Unbelievable, more of the same old same old. Why let facts cloud the issue when you can resort to personal attacks (Cotta) and unfounded allegations (too many to list). There's no honorably disagreeing with these fanatics, is there? The letter speaks for itself, why trust the officials elected to vet the budget when you have "Dave" to tell you! How many budget meetings did you attend, Mr. Nelson? You would think at least one if you are going to claim to know so much about the their deliberations and rationale.

Dear Mr Nelson, I am an average taxpayer, a single parent of a college student. For the record, you do not represent me as the average voter/taxpayer. You represent your own agenda. You and the council have wasted tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to fight well documented laws. You have consistentely sought to be divisive and manipulative, spouting about transparency while repeatedly engaging in less than transparent behavior. A true leader unites people for a common cause, considers all sides to an issue and works for postive outcomes. You have done none of that. You seem to thrive on negativity. This letter and your TCC petition for the FTR are nothing more than a thinly veiled retaliation for having been denied by the Supreme Court. I am struggling to pay my tax bill as many people are but I am left wondering how you can make changes to the Budget Committee's recommendations when you have reportedly not attended even one of their meetings. You have not been part of the process but you are most certainly part of the problem. In addition, what has been done to increase the tax base in this community? From where I sit, what you have done is spend money on unnecessary legal fees, insult other town officials and throw your support in for a company with questionable financial practices.. Personally, I hope people are not fooled into thinking you have their best interests at heart, because that is simply not true...you serve yourself and your own agenda.

If it slithers like a snake then perhaps, dear taxpayers, it is a snake-or at the very least a man mean as one who is hoping to sell you snake oil .Poor guy. Let's look at Mr. Nelson's ego driven budget, shall we? I mean really look-because once posted on the FTR docket-you,as a taxpayer will not have his itemized budget-as you vote-just the bottom line-and you can bet Mr. Nelson is hoping you are dumb enough to only care about the bottom line.In truth,his budget cuts the schools by just over 2% -$600, 000 which is, yes, just about the same he FINALLY had to admit( at the taxpayers cost) belongs to the schools. Dave is a sore loser. He INCREASES the Municipal expenses to the highest in the last five years-and then uses the TOWNS SURPLUS-(yes,they have had one too but Dave does not want you to know too much about THAT-he'd rather harp on the schools surplus) to off set-and somehow-he accounts for revenues no one on any committee seems to know anything about-from where Dave?- that he can willy nilly use as he pleases?Oh. And. Dave wants an ambulance-in Tiverton.Not a library. Not upgrades for our schools-but an ambulance-something tells me we will never see that-unless, of course Dave is chasing it.There is only ONE budget on the FTR ,the BC's-it's vetted and stands to do what Dave Nelsons will not:Support this town-and not just his personal agenda.A snake is a snake.And Nelsons budget is snake oil-no matter how you sell it and manipulate others into thinking it is not.

lord nelson, it is obvious that you have no idea what we, your constituents think so let me take a moment to enlighten you. We voted for the FTR so we wouldn't have listen to the constant grumblings from both sides and we now don't have to waste one, possibly two Saturdays on a hot divisive budget. We did not, however, vote to give you or anyone else a free hand with their own version of the budget. That was little discussed (probably for a reason) and not the reason most of US voted for the FTR. BTW, dave, it was a referendum on the FTM, not a free pass for the TCC to do as YOU see fit.
Second, for you and 3 other members of the TC to have so little political fortitude to be able to stand up and propose what you really want in a budget rather than hiding behind this FTR any-budget-goes deal is embarrassing to us who voted for the FTR and some of you. You, and the other 3 TC members who do not have the courage to voice your real opinions before the electorate, will soon feel our wrath for your lack of courage.

Your budget is not courageous, dave, it is just a continuation of your attack, like the rest of the right wing, on our schools. You don't have kids in our schools. robbie doesn't have kids in our schools. How could either of you be expected to care or understand? You are supposed to represent ALL of us, not just the TCC, though and as you persist in claiming title to both a TC member and the TCC president, you do not represent the majority of Tiverton. WE did not vote for the TCC and your right wing agenda. We voted for people to represent US to the best of their ability, which, quite frankly, you are not, and to do our bidding, which you have utterly failed to do.
You promised to keep our taxes low; well, lord nelson, you have lied. You have only worked to stick it to the schools in which you have no vested interest, while increasing the municipal budget over the cap. YOU LIE!
When you end the lawsuits that are crippling Tiverton financially, when you stop working against the schools and the people whom you "represent" then, and only then, dave, will you understand what WE want.
You do not understand the working class in this town and that will cost YOU dearly this November. I ask that you rescind this arrogant budget and support that which you "voted" for as a TC member and not as president of the TCC.

William Rearick, Superintendent
Tiverton School Department
100 No Brayton Road
Tiverton, RI 02878

Subject: Tiverton High School
100 North Brayton Road

Dear Mr. Rearick:

During our yearly walkthrough safety inspection in August I once again pointed out to Kevin Reynolds that there were still portions of brickwork on the High School Building that needed repair. I said at that time that, as this was a safety issue, I would not allow the High School to reopen next fall if these repairs were not done.

Obviously, I did not stop the opening of the High School this past fall. I had drafted a letter listing the items that were discussed during the inspection and its completion was set aside awaiting input from my Plumbing & Electrical Inspectors.

I was reminded just two days ago that the letter had not gone out. I have enclosed my list of discrepancies in memo form and will forward the lists from the others as soon as I receive them. I apologize for this delay.

As mentioned above, I did verbally advise Kevin Reynolds of my intention to not allow use of the High School in the fall if the repairs to the brickwork had not been made. Hopefully this was passed on to you.

Please let me know the status of the repairs as I have received some requests for information from concerned citizens and need to respond to them.

Sincerely,

Gareth Eames
Building/Zoning Official

Code Enforcement
343 Highland Road
Tiverton RI 02878
Tel 625-6715 Fax 625-6754
August 30, 2011
To: William Rearick, Superintendent
From: Gareth Eames, Building Official
On August 25, 2011, an inspection was performed of the Tiverton High School. The following are a list of deficiencies that need addressing:

1. Loose Brick—Several exterior locations; bowing out above cafeteria.
2. Exposed steel column in lower corridor needs fire protection.
3. Hot water had not been activated.
4. Leak in radiator in corridor opposite library.
5. Bradley wash fountains not working in work & metal shops.
6. Various leaks in boiler room.

The Septic system is estimated to cost four hundred thousand .
State aid for education cut again this year.
The surplus will be needed for repairs if the High School is going to be open next fall...
Do we let these items get worse or fix them now with out having to go out for Bonds ?

I can imagine the pressure you are under to keep the comments censored, Matt, but let's try to keep the censored ones to the ones that appear the violate the Patch's terms and not ones that don't support a particular individual's viewpoint.

if you read both budgets they arey much alike why would the budget commitee remone the dump closer funds when that is what they are held for, why not just remove PAYT if this is such good shape? Why would Mr Cotta be upstate trying to thwart a town issue, One man will not stop the library, to say so is just foolish, it would seem to me that an ambulance must be needed in this town if one is in the budget, so because of your dislike for one man you fault him for that? Really, shall or can we come back to you pointing a finger and say someone died because you choose that to bully one man?Mr Nelson and other cannot make money just appear just more nonsence, you speak of manipulation MS Crist but all I see in your statement is what you accuse Mr Nelson of, I'm am still looking at both budgets but i must say that the Budget Commitee taking away the landfill closer money for other uses makes me favor the town council budget, Perhaps in your next blog you could enplain how the town council budget cuts upgrades for the schools? i look forward to that

While we are on the subject and you insist on resting everthing on the shoulder of one man in stead of the town council he is on, and as such should only beheld part responsible for, let turn to one man WHO is suppose to be responible for his job the Super of schools, after all his time as prinicpal and school superintendant why does Little Compton just drive by us? Why do we year after yes listen to well we did improve, why do our elemenery school preform so high and our high school drop of so fast? can you give me an answer, ? There has been teacher turn over, new students, newer tech help, lots of new stuff, only constant is the pricipal then and school super now, i may not like him (and i DON"T) but you can't ignore what i'm saying, well i guees you can but it doesn't make it any less true does it?

The budget committee was elected by the voters of this town to create the town's budget--not the TCC or the TC or the TCC/TC. If you don't like it, there's always the next election, something the every member of the town council who wants to remain a member of the town council should remember.

Mr. Nelson's arrogance in the face of decisions by RIDE and the RI courts is astounding. It was the TCC/TC that endlessly pursued a decision in their favor to keep the funds they had inappropriately stolen from the taxpayers and the school committee, another body of people duly elected by the voters.

Finally, I thought the FTR was designed to give the voters choices. Why is Mr. Nelson now afraid of the choice that the voters and taxpayers will make? Why does he think he needs to denigrate the work of the budget committee and propagandize the budget proposed by an unelected special interest group?

Out of touch, Mr. Nelson? Look in the mirror. Democracy? You wouldn't know it if it bit you in your sizable ego.

Gloria, well said.

Awesome! Its about time someone cares about the taxpayer!

Patch Readers- Please know that this Taxpayer Petition is based upon the approved Town Council Budget, thoroughly vetted by the Council, Town Administrator, Department Heads, Solicitor, Library and others. I look forward to having a fact based discussion about the two budget proposals brought forward during the Financial town Hearing at the High School on Tuesday, May 1.

This letter was very well written .If I have to choose a library or an ambulance, Im going with the ambulance. I have to say that they have my vote!

This letter was very well written. If I had to choose between an ambulance vs a library, Im going with the ambulance. They have my vote.

Maybe Mr. Nelson will defend his proposal at the May 1st meeting?

Code Enforcement
343 Highland Road
Tiverton RI 02878
Tel 625-6715 Fax 625-6754
August 30, 2011
To: William Rearick, Superintendent
From: Gareth Eames, Building Official
On August 25, 2011, an inspection was performed of the Tiverton High School. The following are a list of deficiencies that need addressing:

1. Loose Brick—Several exterior locations; bowing out above cafeteria.
2. Exposed steel column in lower corridor needs fire protection.
3. Hot water had not been activated.
4. Leak in radiator in corridor opposite library.
5. Bradley wash fountains not working in work & metal shops.
6. Various leaks in boiler room.

The Septic system is estimated to cost four hundred thousand .
State aid for education cut again this year.
The surplus will be needed for repairs if the High School is going to be open next fall...
Do we let these items get worse or fix them now with out having to go out for Bonds ? *

Great Letter! You have my vote!

OK, this is just ridiculous at this point. All this group does is attack and blame everyone else. This is not fiscal conservatism, nor is it good government. Let us talk about the facts.

Point 1: "Our recommendation is based on the Town Council budget, requested by the town administrator, while adding an ambulance." You mean the one that recommended a spending increase of 4.3% AND your adding to it?? NO thanks.

Point 2: "This is in addition to the $600,000 the schools will now receive as a result of their aggressive litigation against the taxpayers of Tiverton, " You mean the litigation that you started by taking the money in the first place is already set aside for a DEM mandated new sewer system?

Point 3: "In several other areas, it ignores the recommendations of the council, administrator, town solicitor, and the library, to name just a few." So what it was a 4.3% increase?!

Point 4: "Taxpayers continue to be battered with demands for more funding," And exactly how has this group that promised flat spending addressed that - increased spending BOTH years. You are cutting school spending to just spend it yourselves. How does that help "the battered" I certainly see how it helps you - no hard choices when you spend like that.

Point 5: "We at TCC promise to support a fact-based community-wide discussion on our budget priorities." I think it clear what your priorities are and it is not controlling spending or doing anything that you promised.

First with this new comments method it is hard to tell who is saying what about any comment, i think i needs to be fixed, second, lets not forget the last council that didn't even bother to vote on the budget, just said that the FTM was the real budget commitee, that was a nice little sidestep by some folks,now i know this crew has messed up a few times but don't forget to look back and seewhat got us here. oh course spending increased every year, what year doesn't it? that just saying the boogey mans in the closet so ya don't go looking for xmas presents,, Please don't just read these comments on here and think you are being informed, both budgets are on here and should be available elsewhere soon, put them side by side, see what YOU agree with, thats why the FTR was passed by so many of you voters, Now is not the time to listen to unfaced boogers (oops) on here don't forget most of them fought tooth n nail to keep the FTM oh and as 2 point 5 above, guess someone jumped the gun huh, whats the meeting on may 1 st for. if not an open disscussion?

I wonder if Mr. Nelson is going to explain his budget proposal to residents at the May 1st meeting?

Ok..Im confused. Is this 1.1 percent IN ADDITION to the budget comm. propasal? Thats not what is says, of course, is it ever.

Both budgets raise spending in amounts that are nearly identical. The TCC proposal leverages lasts years' surplus to fund increases, mainly for health care, and one time expenses like the jaws of life and an ambulance, where the BC raids the restricted landfill account.
The key point to understand is that taxpayers were overtaxed last year and those funds will be used in this budget, instead of flowing to the general fund, which will maintain a level of about 3%, in line with current policy

How about the fact that the TCC budget increase is hidden by drawing down from reserve funds? Or the fact that the TC chose to pursue endless litigation against the school committee at the expense of the taxpayers? My mother always told me that a lie of omission is still a lie. These are the values that I was raised with.

My point exactly Dad. This group campaigned on fiscal responsibility. Over and over they complained about the out of control spending and CONDEMNED the draw down of the reserve (I'll try and find my quote from Coulter) and now I am supposed to applaud the fact that they increased spending over 4.3% and used taxpayer dollars to offset it!

How about this, instead of raising your spending through the stratosphere, how about you kept your spending at say 1% and then used my taxpayer dollars to REDUCE the levy.

And what about that library bond you all supported. How are you going to pay for that? Certainly not with savings because you just pissed it all away on your own reckless spending.

Sitting on the Budget Committee for the last two seasons, I have seen lists of needed items being requested by every dept in town. This town has a lot of needs most of which cost thousands of dollars . Things wear out and need to be replaced.
The same applies to the school. We either fund the repairs year to year or we float bonds and do total reconstruction at five times the cost.
We need to end the fighting and fix the problems.
In my opinion the Budget Committee found a way to fund some of the needed items with out hurting other areas in the budget,and with minimum impact to the town folk. We tried to put as much as possible in to paving as well.
I didn't agree with every item in the budget that the BC passed. It was a democratic process and compromise was part of the process.
The people will decide.

A new day same question. Mr. Nelson why are you reducing the School Committee's requested budget amount by over 500,000? Residents are entitled to an answer!

Joe, Mr. Nelson can't produce something that does not exist. According to the rules of the FTR, alternate budgets may be submitted by any resident. The rules only speak to placing a bottom line number on the ballot. There isn't any language which states supporting evidence needed to be included with the proposal. This is exactly what Mr. Nelson has done. No accountability to the taxpayers. For example, Mr. Nelson's proposed budget would cut over $575,000 from the school department yet he does not provide taxpayers with any details on what should be cut. Transparency??? I think not!!

A new day same question. Mr. Nelson why are you reducing the School Committee's requested budget amount by over 500,000? Mr. Nelson, residents are entitled to an answer!

To Jim L. and others who may wonder. Just to be clear, Teacher have not had a raise in four /five years. The middle and high school teachers are "not the top dog" as we do as we are told by state mandates, the curriculum coordinator, and our Superintendant. We are professional who have a four (and usually much more) years at some college. Our education costs more then what we earn, our supplies for the schools have been cut so we do not have new books,we photocopy everything or we buy the material ourselves. Technology? What technology? In 2014 the state will mandate that testing be done on computers by all students. We have 50/60 computers that are all refurbished and not up to date. So before everyone thinks the money goes to the teachers you are very wrong. The schools need repairs, cost of materials,and heating goes up. It is the up- keep of the middle and high school that require an increase not the teachers.

lord nelson, the only person defying the will of the voters is YOU. You want to give you buddy, defelice, the only one who has ABSOLUTELY no experience with ANYTHING a free shot at our industrial park and now you want to defy the ELECTED budget committee. How far does your arrogance go? We, your constituents, want to know.

A failure of leadership Mr. Nelson? I consider the TCC a huge failure. Two years ago you promised as the President of the TCC in a letter to all the papers and in emails forwarded around town the following:

“TCC has stated numerous times, and do so again now, that we support flat spending and expanding the tax base to relieve the burden on residential property owners. TCC endorses those candidates who are committed to holding down spending and taxes. We also want to change the openly hostile attitude toward economic development in town by welcoming community minded business men and women to join us in the effort.”
The TCC was elected to control spending and yet approved the largest municipal increase to the budget in over three years and did it TWO YEARS IN A ROW. Not prior councils, you. Yes, the tax rate increase was the lowest in a decade but TCC did nothing to achieve that, that was the budget committee and the people. As far as being business friendly, just look to Four Corners and the Oyster Farm (NIMBY).
You all bitch and cry about the "tax and spenders" and you ignore the ridiculous budgets proposed by this group, including one to cover out of control spending of over 4.3%. The past two years is not how a town should be run. We need people in town that will control spending and show leadership. I agree that some past Council members aren’t the answer, but neither is this group. I will never forget all the false promises and flip flopped positions.