New Taxpayers Group Asks Support For Trash Fee Holiday

A release from the Stoneham Taxpayer Advocacy Group:

A group of Stoneham taxpayers recently formed an official committee, the Stoneham Taxpayer Advocacy Group, to advocate against higher taxes and fees and the creation of new fees here in Stoneham. The group will be officially sponsoring the May 7th town meeting warrant article to give Stoneham resident a
“TRASH FEE HOLIDAY” for FY 2019.

Just this year a new fine was established to penalize residents for shoveling snow into the street, this new fine is an example of how municipalities create ways to get more money from residents to add to the town budget. Additionally, this year over 1,200 parking tickets were written to burden residents and generate more
money for the general fund.

The grass roots group will be led by Attorney George Georgountzos as its official spokesperson. According to Georgountzos, residents are frustrated by the high water bills and real estate taxes in Stoneham, and these residents formed the committee to serve as a watchdog group to speak out for the overburdened taxpayers of Stoneham.

Georgountzos said that Stoneham Taxpayer Advocacy Group will give a long overdue voice to the resident who will be on the hook for the increases in taxes and fees. “This May 7th will be the one chance since I’ve lived here for the citizens of Stoneham to tell the town that enough is enough, give us some of our money
back.”

“Stoneham has certified over $3.3 million in free cash this year, and we are only seeking $1.1 million, less that one-third of the free cash, to give some one-time relief to residents by eliminating the fee for one year. Free Cash is our money,” Georgountzos said. “It’s the money left over after we pay our real estate taxes so it
belongs to us. If we don’t take it via town meeting, the town will find a way to spend it as it has in the past.” In addition, Georgountzos underscores that this effort is a loud and clear way to remind the Board of Selectmen that they need to keep their promises to the citizens. “The Trash fee was implemented in 2011 as a temporary fix to difficult budgetary realities. Now, we have an opportunity, at least temporarily, to give our taxpayers some relief without jeopardizing other critical town services.”

“For the last 30 years our water bills have been raised, and the town is getting ready to raise the water and sewer bills again both in the last quarter of this year and for Fiscal Year 2019. The trash fee and the water and sewer fees are on the same bill, and residents will be able to offset some of the future spikes by supporting the Trash Fee Holiday,” Georgountzos said.

“I wish to be fair to the taxpayers of Stoneham who have been asked to contribute towards a trash fee that was presented to them as a temporary means to address a temporary budget shortfall, it was never meant to be permanent. As an attorney I see it as a contract, one side makes a promise to perform with the other side’s
consent. The town has breached its contract with the residents of Stoneham,” Georgountzos said.

Georgountzos feels that at this time the town is in a position to lift this long standing “temporary” surcharge. “For decades our trash collection has been part of our general services, like police, fire and schools. We do not charge parents extra to send their children to public schools. We do not charge a fee when Police and Fire Services are needed in our homes. Similarly, the trash fee cannot be viewed differently.”

George values education, and is proud of the great school system the taxpayers have built in Stoneham. George is a practicing attorney and a former member and chairman of the Finance and Advisory Board.
“We do a good job here,” said George, who is serving as Chairman of the Committee.

“The school budget has been generously funded. Stoneham invests the most per pupil of any surrounding town coming at at $15,555 per pupil compared to Wakefield which spends $14,286, Winchester which spends $13,312, Melrose which spends $12,003, and Reading which spends $13,284. I’m glad our students are a priority to our town. We’ve added new positions, and the Board of Selectmen never hesitates to make additional investments in school technology over and above the school approved budget in the last 2 consecutive years,” Georgountzos said.

George believes one-time relief of $1.1 million now will be helpful to overburdened residents. In the last quarter of FY 2018 Stoneham residents will be hit with a water increase when the rate goes from $5.65 to $7.75 and sewer goes from $8.95 to $11.15 per unit. In Fiscal 2019, water and sewer rates will be raised from our current $5.65 (water) to $6.29 and our current sewer rate of $8.95 to $9.34 according to the town administrator. If the one-year Trash Fee Holiday is passed by Town Meeting, Stoneham residents will save $145 dollars per household.

Voting the Trash Fee Holiday benefits everyone, and will be helpful to persuade voters to support an override in the near future if Stoneham were to need town wide support to build a new high school which is long overdue. Georgountzos notes that “this effort will increase the likelihood of those same residents, many
of whom are seniors, will support what many see as a necessary override or debt exclusion for our high school. Stoneham has a 19% senior population and they vote too, Stoneham has never passed an override so it will be a challenge for seniors. Giving them the trash fee holiday will prove dividends later when an
override is needed for a new High School.”

“We have been nickeled and dimed enough. As a parent I’m called to pay for sports, music, extracurricular activities and the like. Since moving to Stoneham my taxes have increased about 80% and that’s ok. I am willing to pay my fair share, but I was promised a temporary fee that appears to have become a permanent fixture. I think the right thing to do is to keep the promise, and we can do so in a fiscally sound manner,” Georgountzos said.

Georgountzos contends talk of what the trash fee holiday would do has been greatly exaggerated. “Although free cash can only be appropriated by town meeting, many are claiming it will result in budget cuts when nothing could be further from the truth. Our education budget is fully funded and passing the Trash Fee Holiday will have no effect on our education budget.”

“We urge Stoneham residents to join us and vote YES to giving some one-time relief from a burdensome fee. The Trash fee holiday gives the town over an entire year to decide if the fee will be retracted or become a permanent part of our budget, Georgountzos said.

The Stoneham Taxpayer Advocacy Group will help voice the community’s concerns about affordability.