Unjust Sanbornized Contracts in Salem are Responsible for Much of the 8.4% Increase in Taxes Proposed

In March of 2011 as I recall Salem approved Sanborized contracts for town and school district employees.  Recently the Town Manager informed the Board of Selectmen the tax rate will go up 8.4% largely due to the Sanbornized Contracts 

Prevously funding town employee contracts was up to the voters each year.  Sanbornization creates a special privliage for these contracts that the voters can not rescind even if they choose. 

I voted against them at the time and do not support Sanbornized Contracts now.  The reason is simple and it has nothing to do with money.   A majority of the voters obligated future tax payers to pay for increases in employee pay and benefits in subsequent years.  That is just plain wrong to me.  Sanbornized contracts should have to have a super-majority like bonds because I do not believe it is fair or right for a majority today obligate taxpayers in future years. 

These contracts were supposed to save buckets of money.  That does not seem to be the case.  But we are stuck with them by law. 

Next time Sanbornized contracts come up for a vote, remember that you are most likely voting for a tax increase in future years that the voters in those years can not control and have no vote.   Also remember that in voting yes, you are not only voting for yourself, a simple majority is also denying future tax payers a basic right.  And that is not fair.