Mary Wright said taxpayers already support the group through tax exemption.
FARMINGTON – All but one social agency request was approved by Farmington voters Monday. The rejected agency, Work First Inc., had requested $2,200 for the 30 people in Farmington it serves.
Voters approved $2,340 for American Red Cross, $3,000 for Abused Women’s Advocacy Project and $3,043 for Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice.
SeniorsPlus and Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services received funding this year from the Franklin County budget.
Work First provides services to people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities by assisting them to find work or work-related options to increase their independence.
Selectmen and the Budget Committee had pared down Work First’s request and recommended a request of $1,650 to voters. However, voters rejected that amount during the town meeting, instead opting to raise no money.
Paying twice?
Prior to the vote, selectmen’s Chairman Mary Wright said she felt that Farmington taxpayers are paying twice.
The Work First building on Wilton Road is exempt from property taxes. Before Work First bought it, it had been on the rolls for annual property taxes of about $4,500.
Also exempt are five group homes in Farmington that serve as residences for some of the people who use the services of Work First, Wright said.
Wright said Work First does a great job with the work they do but taxpayers are supporting them through tax exemption and shouldn’t have to support them again through a requested donation.
Wright said if Work First were in Wilton or any other town, she could see funding a request.
On Tuesday, Work First Executive Director Linda LaRue Keniston said Work First does not own the five group homes.
Normally, Work First asks $350 per person it serves, Keniston said Tuesday. There are 70 individuals served in Franklin County, nearly half of them living in Farmington, she said.
If the agency were to request what it costs to provide services for those in Farmington, it would be asking for about $10,500, she said.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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