To The Editor:
Just got my property tax bill. As expected, and noted in my last tax-related letter, my bill, like yours, went up. To recap a bit, last year saw a 30% increase over the prior year; this year's bill is 10% over last year's bill. We knew another increase would be coming this year, not through some unique prophetic insights, but rather because rates always (I'll stand by that) go up. Predictions are easy when the outcomes are certain and foreseeable.
So, is the select board OK with this? Are these very smart, elected town officials satisfied simply tallying up the increases and mailing out the news to us? Is that it? I know the board works on keeping town expenses down (no doubt why the town garage has needed replacement for years) and that the pain is principally due to the education component of the overall tax bill. Nevertheless, does anyone on the board see the crushing downside of ever-increasing taxes, regardless how they are generated?
So, as I may have suggested previously, maybe the chair of the board could schedule a special meeting to dissect our property tax issue. Does the league want to join in? Are there experts that could be invited who know whether solutions are even possible under the current taxing arrangement? Do towns want to unite to consider options? Do our reps have any insights that we should evaluate?
If elected officials aren't interested in a fully immersive, coordinated attack of this issue, then at least tell us all what exactly your plan is to address these assaultive property tax bills.
Sal Spinosa
Waitsfield
