I've given up complaining about the burden on tax payers with each new proposal that comes down the pike. To mount a significant objection means organizing and advocating in ways that I no longer have the energy to do. I've stood on lines to speak at town meetings, only to not be given a chance to speak. I have the discussion about leaving town regularly and have been lucky enough to be able to stay at present, but it is at a cost. There are breaks for seniors who have low incomes or assets, but this applies to relatively few of us seniors. There are many of us who feel the pinch tremendously as we lessen our work commitments and have lower yearly incomes. I have been lucky so far, but by today's standards, I (and I suspect many others) are far less wealthy than in the past. While it would be nice to age in place, the price tag keeps increasing. It is an expensive choice to remain in my home.
As an example of how this works and speaking for myself, while I like the idea of having a community center, the reality is that my tax burden, and therefore financial contribution to this project, is much bigger than it is for those living in less expensive houses, rental units or condos. We all might use the community center relatively equally, and those in less expensive properties may use the facilities more if they have children. Each tax increase for any given project pushes this financial contribution to a bigger extent for those of us who own substantially sized homes, For many of us, our house may be our biggest asset, but it is not a source of income unless we sell. Perhaps its time to consider other ways to pay for things than using the formula of percentage tax raises based solely on property value. Perhaps age, family size, family income, and/or other factors can be considered depending on the project. The present formula has already resulted in many elders leaving town, many of whom have been and could continue to be valuable assets to the community. This trend is likely to continue as more projects are undertaken and the present tax assessments continue. *Jane Appell* 56 Winter Street On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM Laura Glynn <[email protected]> wrote: > Absolutely!! It is one evening of relatively mild pain (and sometimes > marvelous entertainment - think the articulate cold pancake man) or years > of paying the tax increases > > > > > On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Laura, it is a thoughtful observation. Of course, this is just one use >> of taxpayer money and if you look at all of the other capital needs the >> town will have in the next 10 years, it’s sobering. >> >> So there will be more tax increases coming, larger ones and sooner than >> you think especially since the same group advocating the now almost $30m >> community center is now advocating using a large portion of our reserves to >> fund cost overruns. >> >> The reality however - voter turnout is very low. This now needs a 2/3 >> vote to pass and the community center voters will be out in full force. >> However those who advocate for fiscal restraint need to show up and bring >> their friends or this too shall pass. >> >> The emails are great but people need to vote and get others to do so. >> >> Seth >> >> > On Jun 4, 2025, at 4:41 PM, Laura Glynn <[email protected]> wrote: >> > >> > I wish we knew why people were moving out of Lincoln - and which >> groups are leaving >> > >> > Certainly some people leave because of new jobs, retirement, health and >> other issues >> > >> > But I believe that a number of people, especially elderly and/or lower >> or middle income are leaving or have left because of the taxes >> > >> > It would be ironic if the town spends more and more money to offer >> middle income housing when the tax increase drives out the very people we >> are trying to keep >> > >> > Yes I know the town has a property tax work off program but that only >> helps a small group >> > >> > I was a big law corporate lawyer for 40 years and I struggle to pay >> these damn property taxes >> > >> > I can’t image what these tax increases have done for those Lincoln >> residents on fixed income or who don’t have family money to keep them afloat >> > >> > It seems that finding out why we are losing residents to other towns >> should be something we should care about >> > >> > If any of the brokers in town can give me a list of property sales and >> names of sellers for the last 5 years I would be happy to Investigate and >> report back >> > >> > I hope we don’t want a town limited to people who move in for the >> schools and move out when the kids graduate to or from high school. >> > >> > Laura Glynn >> > Tower Road >> > -- >> > The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> > To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> > Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> > Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> > >> > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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