Comments on: Effect Of Proposed Tax Increase

By: Joe Farrell

Joe Farrell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:31:58 +0000

Hey, if your house went down in value since the revaluation – then DO something about it. You have the absolute right to challenge the stated value by going to the Board of Assessment Appeals – You can pay any real estate agent for a competitive market analysis – be sure to get the current selling price per square foot of top dollar, medium and bottom construction in your class – assuming a $350k house taking a 20% market hit, you save $49 on assessed value [$350k * .20 * .70 [which is the assessment ratio]] and for about $200 to an agent you save $1225 in taxes. If you would rather sit on your fat rear and complain about it – then good for you but don’t whine about it – you do have recourse and if you chose not to avail yourself of it – then stfu.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:50:53 +0000

@Reality Check I agree with you... I work nights and therefore I am having to use a vacation day in order to have my voice be heard.

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:09:26 +0000

Sure hope Bill will be conducting the vote by ballot – that should be an automatic given based on the issues at the past meeting. How long do you have to hold up a hand for someone to count and double count Yes and No votes with that many residents in attendance??

Next year’s vote should be done by referendum and voting machines so residents can vote throughout the day at a time that’s convenient for them. To gather everyone in a room at the same time is unrealistic in this day and age. Although we’re a small town, we’re not that small of a town anymore. Plus, there’s no write-in ballot option available for those who can’t make it at the exact time of the town meeting.

Voting by machine is straightforward and leaves little room for abuse, confusion, etc. Other towns conduct their budget voting in this manner. Let’s change the town charter so we don’t have to go through this painful process next year. Which based on the increased debt load will be a much more controversial budget year than this year … hard to imagine.

By: Soccer Dad

Soccer Dad — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:53:21 +0000

@Ken Hjulstrom
If Bill Black does not heed the call for paper ballots, he has to realize he is leaving the town open to legal challenges from either side of the debate. Depending on who wins/loses.

Let’s make sure this vote leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind. And not give the losing side a legal issue.

Anything else would be incompetence.

By: Ken Hjulstrom

Ken Hjulstrom — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:25:32 +0000

In regards to the earlier question about the use of paper ballots, I think they will be used but a quote from Bill Black in the Rivereast article stated that he was prepared to use them if a majority of those present wanted to do so. Therefore, it is not a done deal in Bill’s mind that we will use paper ballots. If he does not indicate that he will do so then someone would need to make a motion at the start of the meeting to vote by paper ballot.

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Sat, 30 May 2009 10:39:07 +0000

See, now your most recent post is more in line with the spirit of the blog.

Next time we meet, I’d be happy to discuss this with you. You’ve been readng many of these posts and others aren’t using this forum to promote their business or services.

As for pseudonyms – looks like you’ve been using one all along as well.

By: Ken Hjulstrom

Ken Hjulstrom — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:56:04 +0000

It is easy to cast stones when hiding behind a pseudonym. Would you consider using your real name?@Reality Check

By: Ken Hjulstrom

Ken Hjulstrom — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:38:30 +0000

@Reality Check I am just providing a viewpoint based on my profession. What the media reports is not a true representation of what is going on out there. We have been told over and over again that the quality of a town's educational system drives housing values. Education is a factor, but there are a lot more factors which feed into a home buyer's descision about selecting a community. Taxes for one!

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:20:17 +0000

@ Ken, pls stop the shameless self-promotion of your real estate biz … it’s a bit much.

By: Save More Mom

Save More Mom — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:47:09 +0000

I am just a humble mom who has never been involved with politics but I care about my family, and my neighbors. David, Karen, Cut the Budget and Do the Math Man are right. The money belongs in our hands not the government’s hands.The articles in the River East today solidified my vote-it will be no. Ken, I am no longer with you in wishy washy no man’s land.

I now know that education does not have to make cuts and that they have a surplus, have stimulus money, money from a senior teacher retiring and money from reducing the superintendent’s position to part time and that Bill Black had the audacity to give them ADDITIONAL money from the town’s reserve so they have that too! Shame on Bill Black!

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation just came out with the results of a study stating that teacher quality trumps class size.

I was a supporter of the board of education but I am now disgusted by their lack of empathy and lack of understanding about the people of the town. The facts have changed. There is no longer a chance of teacher job losses, and there has been a lot of money found due to the surplus, stimulus funds, special education savings, retirement and a reduction in superintendent’s salary. They are acting like spoiled children who want more more more more more regardless of whether it breaks neighbors backs. Taking money from the town’s reserve was the last straw.

How do we recall Bill Black?

Please vote no on June 1st!!