Dear Editor: 

I have a friend, an intelligent and successful business owner, who says “You can have anything you want;you just can’t have everything you want.” 

The current Edgecombtown warrant and Eddy School warrant are perfect examples of where my friend’s words of wisdom are applicable.Edgecomb residents have reached their limit when it comes to financing the town and Eddy School wish lists. 

Edgecomb is a small town.Mosttaxpayerslive on fixed incomes.Property values are higher thanmost of the rest of Maine. The last two fiscal years have seen property taxes rise by nearly 33% for most residents. 

We have seen data to show why the proposed budgets are what they are, andon why those claims may be erroneous. Data provide a basis for informed decisions. The problem we have is that informed decisions are not forthcoming. 

There is a very large elephant in the room, and it is being totally ignored by the administrators who have been elected to not ignore it. Budget cuts. 

When expenses exceedrevenue, you limit expenses until you achieve balance. Our elected officialsneed to make some difficult and unpopular decisions. 

Revenue in Edgecombis limited. Expenditures must be reduced to match available income. A budget increase of 2.8% (expected cost of living adjustment) is reasonable. For FY 26/27, the proposed town and Eddy School budgets increase is roughly 12%. 

Voters in Edgecombmust reject the town and Eddy budgets on May16 and force the Selectmen and School Committee to reconfigure their budgets to fit the 2.8% model. Anything more cannot be tolerated by taxpayers. 

These will be very difficult choices, likely requiring staff reductions, lowering of salaries, and elimination of wish list items. These decisions are what our officials were elected and are paid to do. It is past time for them to do it. 

If the current officeholders are unprepared to do the work,then they must be replaced. 

They can have anything they want;they just can’t have everything they want. 

Rick Steadman 

Edgecomb