To The Editor:

No one, including me, likes tax increases.

America is rather unique in our negative attitudes towards taxes. In other developed democratic countries, paying taxes is viewed more as a patriotic duty and pride. Back to Newtown. The headline numbers, $51,453,298 for municipal operations and $95,961,919 for schools, and their increase over last year gets a lot of attention. I hear a lot about the percentage increase this year, and last year.

I’m not sure voters remember the three years without any property tax increase. Mill rate was kept flat in large due to revenue windfalls: FEMA reimbursement related to the micro-burst, savings from COVID closures and Federal COVID relief and recovery funds.

Double tax hit. On Tuesday, we will also vote on six bonding questions totaling $2,875,000. Bonding is a 20-year loan. It doesn’t show up in this year’s budget, but for the next 20 years we will repay the principal and interest. For example, for a $200,000 bond, over 20 years, the tax load will be $283,338.95.

There are assumptions that could be challenged in this calculation, but it’s something like an additional 42%. Bonding is a useful, at times essential tool, but paying interest over 20 years for work that would only last 8 to 12 years should be avoided. Kudos to the elected boards that in recent years moved to included road work in the operating budget and ended use of bonding for road maintenance. Personally, I’m excited about the Booth Library project. Creation of the ability to drive through from the handicap entrance to the back parking is something seniors and those with mobility challenges have been looking forward to for years.

I’ve been to the Public Works area on Turkey Hill Road, the need to replace the old, dilapidated salt storage facility is obvious and a new facility will save the town money

Triple tax hit: The last item on the ballot, a $200,000 special appropriation and bond authorization for the acquisition of land, easements, development rights, etc., carries an additional tax burden.

In addition to the double hit from bonding, this measure would have our tax dollars buy taxable property, reducing the taxable Grand List increasing the mill rate. Years of lost tax revenue. Tax revenue other property owners will have to make up.

It may be a quadruple tax hit. The lack of smaller, less expensive housing is at crisis levels. The Town of Newtown owns some 900 properties. 3,400 acres of untaxed conservation land. Newtown needs a lot more housing that fits workers’ budgets. The value of these homes would increase the Grand List and reduce everyone’s tax burden.

I’m voting against this bonding question.

Ned Simpson

Sandy Hook