Comment on Property Taxes

It seems that the harder we are hit by financial crisis the more it costs us.

The town taxes for our homes is not falling with the value of the home. In fact as the town points out we are based on a past number when the values were better. If that isn't enough we will be hit by higher taxes when the values finally hit from this financial crisis by the prop 2.5. Our water bill (really a tax) is higher because of the well 6 redesign and retro fit cost (in the millions). When you have less you pay more. Ask any bank. They charge higher when you need money then when you don't. They fee you for overdraft and deposits (your deposit window is 9-2 but debits can be all day long, Then you pay for a 10 minute overdraft) Is it fair? No.

The town needs to balance the budget and reduce costs even more.  Chrysler took a pay holiday for a month. Maybe we need to do the same here. We home owners are hurting. Some have no jobs and many have reduced incomes. I don't mind paying for town services with taxes but we residents have run out of cash for the extras. How about a town stimulus program, a tax rebate? Free trash collection, lower water costs? Yeah right dream on!

Things may be better in 5-10 years. Can you hold out? That is the question, as many will have to move out, sell their homes cheap (if at all). Hey town hall turn those lights out, highway and water guys drive less (save gas), less salt on the roads, uh dreaming again huh? Really we need to be creative and help our town residents.

Can't we just re value the town with a discount (flat rate)?

-Howard