5/11 7:09pm   WC, Regarding the Grange Hall renovation vote, there were only two dissenters last night. In total less than 100 people attended town meeting and of course the groups with a vested interest attended. So I assume you did not show up to vote. I am tired of listening to people complain about soaring taxes and how the town is managed because change won't occur unless residents show up to vote.
If we don't have a show of force at the next town meeting and vote down the override, the town will be authorized to spend $829,000 for capital expenditures funded by the establishment of a PERMANENT override of $300,000 for a vehicle stabilization fund plus a $529,000 debt exclusion, both of which will increase your taxes. Permanent override means that each successive year another $ 300,000 (plus 2.5 % plus 3% CPA funds) will be levied against your property taxes and put in a vehicle stabilization fund. The $529,000 debt exclusion will also increase your taxes.
I agree that the town needs new capital equipment particularly for fire and safety but I have a big problem with the proposed funding mechanism which is funding these items outside of the general operating budget. The vehicle stabilization fund should be funded though the general operating budget where voters have control over the spending process through the Prop 2.5. Instead to fund the vehicle stabilization fund, our elected town officials have cleverly circumvented the spending control afforded by Prop 2.5 through a permanent override which will increase your tax bill on an annual basis.
You may ask the question where we would find $300,000 in the general operating budget to fund the vehicle stabilization fund . Last night at town meeting we discovered (this was only learned through taxpayer inquiry at the meeting) that the town is receiving a $400,000 developer mitigation payment for 40b housing project being built up on the hill in the center of town. This $400,000 could have been put into the operating fund to fund the $300,000 vehicle stabilization fund thus obviating the need for an override but unfortunately our town officials decided to sign an agreement with the developer that obligates the town to set up an affordable housing fund and use the $400,000 SOLELY for affordable housing. Of course at the same time the CPA fund currently has $1.5 million of taxpayer money and these funds also can be used for affordable housing. Also the CPA act will levy an additional $800,000 of taxes this year. So I don't know why our town officials agreed to use the $400,000 developer payment for affordable housing when the CPA fund will have over $2 million by the end of fiscal 2007 which is more than enough money to fund affordable housing initiatives. Norfolk has never set aside any money for critical capital items such as fire trucks and we have not set aside enough money in the 2007 budget (only $250,000) to adequately fund road repairs. Yet the coffers will be overflowing with money to the tune of $2.7 million ($2.3 CPA funds, $400,000 affordable housing fund) all of which can be used for affordable housing.
This form of creeping socialism is now impacting us on the local level and you the Norfolk taxpayer will pick up the tab. The next time you travel on Boardman Street and your vehicle bottoms in one of the many ruts caused from years of disrepair you should take comfort that that if you need it, affordable housing will be there for you.
Please show up and vote no on the $300,000 override. There will continue to be taxation without representation unless you vote.

- SM

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