Now that the Town Council has voted to go forward with a proposal to enact a primary property tax it behooves us, the citizens and voters, to educate ourselves on the need for reliable income for the town.

While there are some concerns about how the money, so badly needed, will be spent by this and future councils and the potential for regular increases as allowed under state statutes, I wish to stress the fact that we, the electorate, have the means to use our votes to keep spending limited to that which is needed and vote out those council members who violate our trust. We have used the recall vote to oust a previous mayor who did so and we can do it again if needs must.

Do not let the various projects such as a new ladder truck, the new fire station or the lighting in the park make you believe that we have all the money needed. Those items you see happening are due to statutes which mandate how certain funds are spent or capital projects for which accrual has occurred. Our town staff has been reduced to near the breaking point, Town Hall hours reduced to only four days per week, street maintenance deferred well beyond that which is necessary simply because we do not have the funds. These cuts will result in increased future costs and create an image which will keep new business and residents away.

I cannot begin to tell all residents how important this is to the future of our community as we know it. Please make the effort to learn how the town’s budget works, why we need the funds and, most important, let the mayor and council know that you care and will support a properly administered primary property tax.