The most important aspect of this article is Unity and knowing how far we can go if we pull together. From the NDN today - First, Gray said his administration will keep working to expand the city’s commercial and industrial tax base, while controlling municipal spending — all in order to provide tax relief so that Amesbury will not keep the distinction of having the fourth-highest tax rate in the state. Successful in lowering the city’s tax rate for the first time in the past eight years, Gray hopes to continue working on expanding the tax base by attracting new companies to locate in Amesbury through the zoning change in the Golden Triangle. He also hopes to focus on spending and promoting a welcoming environment for businesses in Amesbury. “In 2015, I will also continue to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Association and the entire community to grow our commercial/ industrial base and further relieve single-family homeowners of what is still a disproportionately heavy tax burden,” Gray said. Second on his list of goals is education and local schools, especially with the shrinking amount of school aid coming down from Beacon Hill. Last year, by working together, the city was able to deal with its budget gap, while protecting kindergarten, art and music classes, as well as the early college program, he said. Gray hopes to work with the community to fight for more state aid. “In 2015, I will work with the School Committee and school administration to establish a more concrete and consistent process for financial reporting and tracking,” Gray said. “Since providing our schools with adequate financial resources is a challenge for our city, it is important to understand where every dollar is spent.” Gray also hopes to work with local education officials “to develop a strategic plan” for Amesbury schools with the objective of “addressing our most pressing issues.” Unity is Gray’s third objective for 2015, as it was for 2014, he said. “It has been and will continue to be my goal to work closely with each and every councilor and School Committee member to craft the most effective and responsible budget possible,” Gray said. “Collaboration is the key to solving many of Amesbury’s biggest problems, and divisive politics have never led us to lasting solutions.”
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 14:42:58 +0000
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