Well said...bravo On Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 5:31 PM Jane Appell <[email protected]> wrote:
> I've given up complaining about the burden on tax payers with each new > proposal that comes down the pike. To mount a significant objection means > organizing and advocating in ways that I no longer have the energy to do. > I've stood on lines to speak at town meetings, only to not be given a > chance to speak. I have the discussion about leaving town regularly and > have been lucky enough to be able to stay at present, but it is at a cost. > There are breaks for seniors who have low incomes or assets, but this > applies to relatively few of us seniors. There are many of us who feel the > pinch tremendously as we lessen our work commitments and have lower yearly > incomes. I have been lucky so far, but by today's standards, I (and I > suspect many others) are far less wealthy than in the past. While it would > be nice to age in place, the price tag keeps increasing. It is an expensive > choice to remain in my home. > > As an example of how this works and speaking for myself, while I like the > idea of having a community center, the reality is that my tax burden, and > therefore financial contribution to this project, is much bigger than it is > for those living in less expensive houses, rental units or condos. We all > might use the community center relatively equally, and those in less > expensive properties may use the facilities more if they have children. > Each tax increase for any given project pushes this financial contribution > to a bigger extent for those of us who own substantially sized homes, For > many of us, our house may be our biggest asset, but it is not a source of > income unless we sell. > > Perhaps its time to consider other ways to pay for things than using the > formula of percentage tax raises based solely on property value. Perhaps > age, family size, family income, and/or other factors can be considered > depending on the project. The present formula has already resulted in many > elders leaving town, many of whom have been and could continue to be > valuable assets to the community. This trend is likely to continue as more > projects are undertaken and the present tax assessments continue. > > > *Jane Appell* > 56 Winter Street > > On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM Laura Glynn <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Absolutely!! It is one evening of relatively mild pain (and sometimes >> marvelous entertainment - think the articulate cold pancake man) or years >> of paying the tax increases >> >> >> >> >> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Laura, it is a thoughtful observation. Of course, this is just one use >>> of taxpayer money and if you look at all of the other capital needs the >>> town will have in the next 10 years, it’s sobering. >>> >>> So there will be more tax increases coming, larger ones and sooner than >>> you think especially since the same group advocating the now almost $30m >>> community center is now advocating using a large portion of our reserves to >>> fund cost overruns. >>> >>> The reality however - voter turnout is very low. This now needs a 2/3 >>> vote to pass and the community center voters will be out in full force. >>> However those who advocate for fiscal restraint need to show up and bring >>> their friends or this too shall pass. >>> >>> The emails are great but people need to vote and get others to do so. >>> >>> Seth >>> >>> > On Jun 4, 2025, at 4:41 PM, Laura Glynn <[email protected]> wrote: >>> > >>> > I wish we knew why people were moving out of Lincoln - and which >>> groups are leaving >>> > >>> > Certainly some people leave because of new jobs, retirement, health >>> and other issues >>> > >>> > But I believe that a number of people, especially elderly and/or lower >>> or middle income are leaving or have left because of the taxes >>> > >>> > It would be ironic if the town spends more and more money to offer >>> middle income housing when the tax increase drives out the very people we >>> are trying to keep >>> > >>> > Yes I know the town has a property tax work off program but that only >>> helps a small group >>> > >>> > I was a big law corporate lawyer for 40 years and I struggle to pay >>> these damn property taxes >>> > >>> > I can’t image what these tax increases have done for those Lincoln >>> residents on fixed income or who don’t have family money to keep them afloat >>> > >>> > It seems that finding out why we are losing residents to other towns >>> should be something we should care about >>> > >>> > If any of the brokers in town can give me a list of property sales >>> and names of sellers for the last 5 years I would be happy to Investigate >>> and report back >>> > >>> > I hope we don’t want a town limited to people who move in for the >>> schools and move out when the kids graduate to or from high school. >>> > >>> > Laura Glynn >>> > Tower Road >>> > -- >>> > The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> > To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> > Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> > Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> > >>> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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