Next Round of Cost Cutting in Augusta

How about we restrict the number of non-profits doing the same thing. As it is we get a line of people at town meeting who when all asked provide a list of overlapping services. If they were consolidated into one group they could cut overhead in half.. of course since they are publicly funded they would be a massive blow to the state economy.

Do like Sabattus, when they come to the town meeting and ask for donations, just say no. One of the problems we encountered was seeing what services these people provide and where. Oddly enough most did not provide assistance in the town which they were asking for money from.
After the town authorized a budget committee they saw this and brought it to the peoples attention and when the item came up for vote the answer was no. Only two non- profits received money and they did help out in the town. Why should the town be giving to charities on behalf of the residents, that is a personal choice for each individual to decide. Oddly enough they came back the following year and tried again, answer, No.

For a small town to dole out $50,000 or more to charities is something that should not happen and in this town it isn't anymore, especially when the service isn't given in the town. Something other towns may want to research.

and another good question to ask - What percentage of the donations collected go toward administration?

I asked, no one had a clue. I asked that this information be available with each request made in the future.

How about a toll booth on the Bill hopper.....that is doubled if an LD is deemed to be unnecessary, frivolous, stupid or otherwise of no use ?

If no one is there to represtent the non-profit it's almost a sure NO vote, and we've gotten used to having them tell us how many of our people use their services. Some of them will give you a number, others just say "there were people in town who used our services".