Resident says tax impact is too much

To the Editor:

Now that the dust has settled after the defeat of Proposition 2 1/2 last year and the Town Administrator and the Superintendent of Schools can't figure out why, I think they should go back to school.

In the last few months a paper was sent around giving the tax rates of the cities and towns around us and Ashburnham is $2 per $1,000 higher than the rest. So I don't think that we need any more overrides in the town of Ashburnham. With all the new construction houses (most valued in the $400,000 range) being built on previous open lots, the town has been getting an increase in tax revenue. The town should be able to pay for these typical budget items without requesting more overrides.

People of Ashburnham are now worried about losing their homes because of the poor economy, mortgage crisis and high unemployment. We just can't afford to have taxes go any higher. With the three overrides in the town report it's going to add more than $1/$1,000 to the tax rate. If you own a home valued at $400,000 the increase would be over $400 more per year than you currently pay just in the taxes.

So people wise up! This increase is per $1,000 on you property, not just the $1 that's being advertised.

I have lived here nearly 45 years and I have never seen so many houses up for sale in Ashburnham.

Robert Bryant

Ashburnham