I urge North Haven voters to vote “yes” at the budget referendum on Tuesday, May 21. The proposed budget must pass to avoid cuts to services that directly impact all residents, as the first selectman and superintendent detailed at the April 9 budget hearing.

We moved to North Haven because of the proximity to work and family, lower taxes relative to surrounding towns, and good schools. Seven years later, those reasons still hold, and we are grateful to be raising our 5- and 2-year-old here. We’re excited for our oldest to start kindergarten at Ridge Road this year – but we’re worried, too. North Haven schools have been working magic for years to provide a solid education without the full funding needed to thrive. There is no capital budget for building improvements despite many schools being 50-plus years old and pushed to (or beyond) capacity. The district is scrambling to replace outdated materials – a change that the district is pursuing in the best interest of students, but that comes with a significant burden for educators. And school climate is suffering as teachers are asked, year after year, to deliver better results with fewer resources. These challenges are not insurmountable, but they require funding. We can’t expect our public servants to make the magic happen forever. Students and families will soon bear the cost, far above the average $40 per month tax increase most households will experience if this budget passes.

Approving this budget is a step towards investing in our town’s future. We need to protect the invaluable services our tax dollars provide. I want all residents to reap the benefits of strong schools, timely emergency services, a robust public library, and reliable trash pickup, but all of this is on the line. Please vote yes on May 21.

Eileen Honan Stabbe

North Haven