OPEN LETTER

Important Message to Scituate Residents

You are urged to attend the Annual Financial Meeting on April 8^th to approve the proposed 2008-09 budget.

Your Scituate Republican Town Committee and elected Republican officials believe it is important that all residents be aware of increasingly stringent state imposed requirements impacting the proposed budget and those of subsequent years. These requirements will have substantial impact upon Scituate. 

We must prepare for these eventualities now. Important facts to consider:

	State law limits tax levy increase to 5% in fiscal year2008-09.
	The maximum tax levy in subsequent years will drop by 1/4% annually until a maximum of 4% is reached.
	Scituate ’s initial projected expenses for the year 2008-09 had to be reduced significantly in order to comply with the state’s 5% cap.
	Every Town department’s budget request was reduced.
	To protect our current bond rating, we must maintain a 6 to 7% reserve fund and practice sound, prudent fiscal management policies…especially in the face of future state mandated revenue restrictions.

Your Republican Town Council is committed to protecting and providing our seniors with a well deserved tax freeze and quality of life better than any other community in Rhode Island .