Think Of the Total Override Cost and Vote No April 3

A Letter to the Editor from Reading resident Bill Brown:

On April 3, 2018 the voters of Reading will be asked to approve or disapprove a $4.15 million override. Unlike last year that was a general operating override, this year it is an "EARMARKED" override. There will be four specific "EARMARKS," one for schools ($2,654,969), one for 5 police officers and four firefighters ($1,050,311), one for general government ($317,391) and library ($127,329). If approved, Town Meeting must by law appropriate the "EARMARKED" funds for that sole purpose.

At next year's Town Meeting, there is no law stating they must appropriate the funds for that purpose. A STACKED Town Meeting could appropriate the funds for any legal use. So understand that while you may vote to extend, for example, Library hours next year, a STACKED Town Meeting could vote those funds to some other budget line.

It is estimated that the $4.15 million will cost the average home $488, this on top of the normal 2 1/2 percent yearly increase. My normal tax increase on my below average home for FY19 will be $236 and to that say an additional $236? That is a $472 increase.

Like many on fixed income I did not receive an increase in Social Security for two years. My increase this year was $6 a month or $72 a YEAR. Where does the additional tax money come from? I have been a resident for 85 years and a home owner/taxpayer since 1955. I would like to die in my home.

Presently there is approximately $24.5 million of EXCLUDED DEBT that will not go away until FY 2025, at which time we should see a drop in our tax bill. But there are two large unknowns in the "closet," the Killam school renovation (non ADA compliant) at $10 million plus? Or a new building at $20 plus (FY?). Who knows? And then we have the proposed combined DPW (FY22) presently projected in the capital plan at $28 plus including interest. There is also $10 million for building security (FY21) and a hint of a senior center if there are any seniors that can still afford to live in Reading. Both High School artificial fields need to be replaced inside the levy limit or more excluded debt?

Also on the ballot you will have two candidates for one seat on the Board of Selectmen, not Select board. Since they both favor the override I can not endorse either, and my vote will be made as it has since 1952 in the voting booth.

Understand before you vote yes. Think of the TOTAL COST this year and years to come. THE POWER TO TAX IS THE POWER TO DESTROY.

If you agree with me, as with last year, be the silent majority and vote NO!

William C. Brown, Martin Road