EAST GREENWICH, R.I. — What if they gave a Financial Town Meeting and nobody came?

Of the 31 people at the East Greenwich FTM Tuesday evening, fewer than 10 were members of the public. The rest were members of the Town Council and School Committee, police and fire officials, department heads and other staff members.

By charter, 250 registered voters are needed for a quorum. Town Moderator Arthur "Chuck " Barton opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and during the hour required to wait for a quorum, allowed Council President Michael B. Isaacs and School Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Mark to present the town and school budgets.

Bottom line, taxpayers will pay 43 cents more per $1,000 in assessed valuation next year, a 1.81 percent increase, for a tax rate of $24.11.

Without a quorum, the town and school budgets are set as presented.

Isaacs said after the meeting that for about the last 15 years, the FTM has been sparsely attended, in contrast to years when the meeting had overflow crowds. A referendum to eliminate the FTM failed two years ago, he said.

In his view, voters are satisfied with how the council and school committee work together to keep costs as low as possible. People have many opportunities to be heard during the budget process, he said.

Mark said East Greenwich spends $14,987 per student, compared to the statewide average of $15,740.

—dnaylor@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7411

On Twitter: @donita22