As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, a small Central Massachusetts town has canceled its Fourth of July celebration and declared that it is “not feasible” to refund individual donation money.
Officials in Rutland are trying to assure residents that the devastating blow is “not related to funding availability or intended as a response to any community viewpoints.” Instead, they say it is “based solely on public safety considerations.”
“We understand how much this tradition means to our community and how disappointing this news is for many families,” officials said in a letter posted Wednesday on the town’s website. “Rutland’s 4th of July celebration is a cherished tradition that brings neighbors and generations together.”
“The decision to cancel was not made lightly,” they added.
The Rutland fire and police departments and the town’s “4th of July Committee” partnered with town leaders in publishing the letter.
Though the letter cited “public safety considerations” as the driver of the cancellation, the town mentioned an override vote that residents rejected earlier this month, in response to a comment on its Facebook post about the postponement.
“The vote has already taken place,” the “Town of Rutland, MA” Facebook account stated. “The Town was very transparent in sharing that the 4th of July festivities would be impacted if the override vote were to fail.
“Now that the override has not passed,” it added, “the 4th activities are the first noticeable cut as we continue to prepare for decreased services beginning July 1st.”
A major sticking point in the letter sent to residents is a declaration that the town will keep donations from residents and businesses and that the individual contributions won’t be refunded.
“Some of the funds have already been used for event-related expenses, including printing, deposits, and fundraising costs,” officials wrote in their letter, “and all donations are held in a municipal gift account for the sole purpose of supporting Rutland’s 4th of July celebrations.”
“Because funds are pooled and expended collectively,” they added, “it is not feasible to determine or return individual contributions. Instead, all remaining funds will be preserved to support future 4th of July celebrations.”
Paul Diego Craney, the executive director of the state watchdog group Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, called Rutland’s decision, which has gone viral across social media, “inexcusable.”
Craney is pushing for Attorney General Andrea Campbell to investigate the “attempted confiscation” of donations.
“These officials pushed for an override vote, lost, and are now extracting political payback by taking away something the town enjoys during the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence,” Craney told the Herald. “They are acting this way for political purposes, to get back at the very people they are supposed to serve.”
On May 11, residents shot down a multi-year property tax increase package that officials said was needed to address a major $3 million structural deficit. The tally was 1,040 votes against and 833 votes in favor.
Officials have warned that they are planning for roughly 25% in budget reductions because of the failed override.
“Due to anticipated staffing limitations, our Police and Fire Chiefs have determined that they cannot safely support both the event and routine emergency services at the same time,” officials said in their letter on Wednesday. “Moving forward under these conditions would put both attendees and the broader community at risk.”
Officials said the town’s “4th of July Committee” raised the funds needed for the event. Despite that, the celebration still can’t take place due to inadequate public safety staffing.
Instead of hosting the main patriotic celebrations this year, officials say “several long-standing traditions will continue, including the Junior Olympics, road race, pancake breakfast, volleyball tournament, and other community activities.”
