This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

No Time to Raise Taxes

Recently our first selectman, Matt Hoey, put out a recorded call to tell us all that this year’s budget referendum has been canceled due to the coronavirus, and that the budget and mill rate will be set without a vote from the rest of us.

Since we have no say in the matter, I would like to suggest that this year’s budget be the same as last year’s, or better yet, lowered. We’ve all been impacted by the virus in one way or another and with so many losing their jobs and businesses; this is no time to raise taxes as usual. Perhaps we could cut down on unnecessary expenses, at least for this year.

A good example would be the golf course, which is in the budget for a whopping $256,755. If the people using it can’t or won’t support it, perhaps we should let the grass grow this summer. Another example might be the budget for snow plowing, of which there was very little if any this year; the money earmarked for that expense could be rolled over into this year’s budget.

This is a year to tighten our belts and stop spending unnecessary money, not to raise taxes. It’s a great opportunity for the Board of Finance to lead the way and support the community by actually lowering taxes in these difficult times.

Janet McClure

Guilford