Not sure what I got in Return for a 20% increase

[Gotcha]

Since my taxes went up approximately 20% last year I have to ask myself what I really gained from the town. I still see pot holes everywhere. Matter of fact, there is one at the intersection of Highland and Coppermill that I need a step ladder to get out of.

I still have the same services but paying a little more to dump junk. Maybe they put the money into air quality; I seem to be breathing easier..

Let’s be serious for a second, where did all this money go?

[1]

You got better paid teachers.

[oldetowne]

The real payoff will come this year. With the likely 8-10% increase you will get reductions in town staff, increased user fees for various services and programs, and free new sidewalks in front of the homes of people who don't want them there.

[morganika]

Well I am sure what I got, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

[tooold]

Taxes for education funding are the majority of the increase. Webb will certainly have an impact in driving up the rate.

Hopefully, all of us responding about the tax increases are also letting our state leaders know that State funding for education and programs that they mandate be adequately funded.

[ThePatriot]

To push for more funding at the state level is just reaching in your other pocket. Spending is out of control at the local and state level.

It is hard to believe with energy prices the way they are that our elected leaders are proposing taxes on heating oil and natural gas to fund some scam conservation fund.

It is long over due to tighten the belt and say no to special interest groups.

[morganika]

Amen! Lets tighten our belts. You know what my problem is with this spend spend spend council? I'm going to tell you!

When my family wants/needs things done at our house, we look at what we want/need and we make a decision based upon money at hand and/or what we'd be willing to borrow. What this usually means is we can't get everything we want/need. We get what we can now and work towards getting the rest, sometimes resigning ourselves to the fact, we may not get something we want a lot.

It's too bad our council doesn't operate that way. They just keep spending on everything they want, knowing they'll just keep on raising our taxes to finance their field of dreams and whatever else they dream up. It is a disgrace.

[morganika]

Well the numbers are in and it looks like I only have to pay an extra $40 per month for nothing this year. Sure beats last year, an extra $200 per month for nothing.

Unfortunately for an additional $240 in the last 2 years the town cannot seem to help with the feral cat situation. How was your summer? I cleaned up piles of cat feces EVERY night after work. Yup, those cats are really multiplying and I have spent plenty on garlic stakes, red pepper and everything else I could think of. I know, you want me to trap them. I've had a have a heart trap (over $100 at Agway) all summer and I can't catch those suckers.

I will not vote for one person who now sits on the council. I have sent letters begging for help and no one has offered help. So here it is, I'm not voting for ONE of you.

[townfan]

Certainly no increases in any town services for my bucks. Improvements to schools, police/town hall structures and the nature center cannot be counted.

Our street and road conditions are attrocious and an embarrassment. I would like a reimbursement to be used to offset the front end work and alignments needed for my cars!

I dislike taxes as much as the next guy, but the zero budget growth years promoted by the WTA have put us in a hole now. We now need to make more improvements to infrastructure using more inflated current dollars, instead of gradual improvements.

[morganika]

townfan said:

Certainly no increases in any town services for my bucks. Improvements to schools, police/town hall structures and the nature center cannot be counted.

Our street and road conditions are attrocious and an embarrassment. I would like a reimbursement to be used to offset the front end work and alignments needed for my cars!

I dislike taxes as much as the next guy, but the zero budget growth years promoted by the WTA have put us in a hole now. We now need to make more improvements to infrastructure using more inflated current dollars, instead of gradual improvements.

I do not think it is the zero budget growth years. I think the money we do have has been squandered on one poor choice after another.

[townfan]

Could be true. I wouldn't doubt it.

Could also be that since there have been a few years of neglect to the infraastructure that we may have to wait longer to see some positive results.

I for one an looking forward to some road and infrastructure improvements. As well as positive Silas Deane Hwy visual upgrades if possible.

[townfan]

I'll tell you where it's not being spent, The High School. They need:
- Air conditioning
- Text books current within the last decade
- Text books, of any vintage or condition, in some classes that need them.

Just endured open house Thursday night. It was hard to concentrate to the teachers for ten minutes in the heat. The upper floors were hot at 8:30PM. I don't know how teachers and students can concentrate for 40 minutes.

[morganika]

UM, apparently your mayor thought the field of dreams was more important than text books and air conditioning.

[oldetowne]

Fear not, AC is likely to be one of the things included in a multi-million dollar bond package for the high school within the next 2 or 3 years. I had heard that the ductwork was installed for it during the 1987-1993 renovation project. Not sure?