As reported in yesterday's posting here, the purpose of the Public Hearing will be to explain and discuss the one issue that will be on the October 6 agenda - whether or not to authorize $8,900.00 to be taken from the Eddington Fire Department Reserve Fund to be used to match the Americorp grant for the purpose of establishing an 11 month firefighter position (from October 2009 through September 2010).
There will be more information provided at the September 29 meeting, I'm sure. So people should attend. I doubt the meeting will be very long but there should be questions regarding this matter and the Public Hearing is the place to ask them and to get the answers.
I know Tuesday nights (September 29) is a school night - and I know a lot of people don't even get home from work before 6pm, but this is your tax money. Money you have already paid. It's reasonable to ask if we will have to "repay" the Reserve Fund for potential emergencies, which means additional taxes. And then there should be the question about what happens after September 2010 - will the town need to raise more money (meaning Taxes) if we want to keep the position even if another grant can be obtained?
Add to this that come November, there is an issue on the ballot having to do with the repeal of a new Excise Tax. IF that Excise Tax is repealed, Eddington property taxpayers (according to a comment made at last Tuesday's Selectmen's meeting) will have to pick up the loss of $137,000 from the state. This means an increase in property taxes.
The issue is not one individual increase here and another increase there. We need to start looking at the sum total of all the tax and fee increases that are going into effect this coming year.
- The state is planning to decrease its contribution to public education by $60 million. That means an increase at the local level for school budget that INCREASES EVERY YEAR.
- The state has passed a new Income Tax law which is going to increase the taxes of anyone making $60,000 a year or less and who owns property and has a mortgage because you will no longer be able to deduct your property taxes (which keep going up) or your mortgage interest, the sum total is probably more than the 2 percent reduction in the tax rate.
- Sales tax is now being applied to services such as when you get your car serviced for winter and spring tires, balancing and other repairs.
- You are paying more for registering your car (and will probably be paying more for inspections, too). And look at what it is costing to register your recreational vehicles.
- Members of my family just received their property tax bills. Did you receive yours. All of us saw an increase over last years' bill. Did you? I'm not sure why. It shouldn't be because of the school budget. I heard some time ago the state was going to reduce the Homestead credit. Maybe that's it. I'll have to check. But I know my bill was nearly $150.00 higher this year and there have been no changes in my property.
Where is all this money going to come from, especially when we consider those members of our population who are on fixed incomes or unemployed or on reduced income because they've lost their employment altogether?
I think it would be great to add another firefighter position to the Fire Department. But if it means more taxes next year, on top of the ones the state is already handing to us directly or indirectly, I don't know how we can afford it. Suggestions are welcome.
This is why residents need to attend the Public Hearing and then the Special Town meeting.
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