Pols Fear Taxpayers Vote

Friday, April 8, 2011

Why fear the people’s voice? BONUS! Courageous Union Employees Blast This Article . . .Anonymously, of course.

AS I SEE IT

by Len Mead

Is the only reaction to a 2.2 percent revenue reduction the layoffs of dozens and dozens of employees?

Our Westboro selectmen had a message for struggling taxpayers now paying 64 percent higher property taxes than the state average: We vote NO on placing a legal tax under-ride question on the May 3 ballot — you don’t get to vote at all.

The cabal of four selectmen apparently believes our tax money is theirs. In an Obama recession they seem proud Westboro property taxes are only $3,000 higher than the state average. Let citizens vote on how much of their own money should be taxed for exploding town spending? No.

This defines tyranny: Taxation without representation.

In stark contrast to the crew of four, Selectman George Thomson had the integrity to assert, “The voice of the community should place greater weight than the voice of [selectmen] committee members.”

Courageous words on March 22.

Without putting you to sleep, dear reader, the background of this issue is that Westboro’s tax levy limit — like all communities — was set based on tax valuations 30 years ago. Then it automatically compounds by 2.5 percent every year from that base, plus the value of new growth, such as new houses, inventory, and buildings.

This levy limit restricts the amount of increased taxes a community may raise annually to 2.5 percent of that limit, unless citizens want to pay more and vote a tax override.

Thirty years ago, when the levy limit was set for Westboro, the town had many high-tech companies, such as Data General and Digital Equipment Corp. The levy limit was set way high and compounded by 2.5 percent annually, in spite of the fact that those companies are long gone. The levy automatically rises 2.5 percent annually unless a tax under-ride is voted by citizens. Thus, taxpayers in Westboro and probably many other communities are not protected now from automatic high tax increases, whether they are needed or not.

After hundreds of citizens pleaded for lower taxes in a survey of town services done last fall by the Finance Advisory Committee, I proposed a $4 million legal tax under-ride be placed on the town’s May 3 ballot. If approved by voters, this would have reduced total revenues to the town by just 2.2 percent, and reduced the average Westboro homeowner’s taxes by about $237.

Here’s where the 2.2 percent revenue reduction comes from: Under Proposition 2-1/2, Westboro’s $60 million tax levy base first increases by 2.5 percent. If an under-ride is passed by voters, then the limit is reduced by the $4 million under-ride, thus lowering net taxes collected by only $1.9 million. That $1.9 million is only 2.2 percent of the $89 million Westboro now receives when you include excise taxes, fees and “state aid” — which is Westboro getting back its own tax dollars.

In arrogantly refusing to let taxpayers vote on a legal under-ride, which would have allowed for a vigorous public debate, selectmen leaned on a slide show put on by the town manager concluding that a 2.2 percent year-to-year revenue reduction would result in laying off 35 town employees and “heaven knows” how many employees in the schools.

Can you believe this? Is the only reaction to a 2.2 percent revenue reduction the layoffs of dozens and dozens of employees?

By not placing the under-ride question on a ballot, the selectmen denied citizens a public debate that could have uncovered many possible spending efficiency suggestions from residents. My own would have been suggesting that overly generous public salaries and health and pension benefit promises — which taxpayers simply cannot afford now in the worst recession since the Great Depression — be re-negotiated and reduced.

Renegotiation could have resulted in no layoffs.

Friends, my point here is that these four selectmen are probably no different from other elected officials in local towns, state legislatures and, of course, down in Washington. So-called representatives don’t represent taxpayers. They have defensively evolved to represent entrenched public monopoly unions, bankrupting our town and every community across the state.

What can be done to correct the tyranny of public figures who knowingly make union contract promises that taxpayers and wage earners simply cannot afford? Well, first, another 350 under-rides could be proposed for all the remaining communities in our state.

At the state and national level, only electing fiscal conservatives and slashing spending for promised public pay, benefits and pensions will allow taxes to be lowered so our great capitalist economy can roar back to life creating new jobs and new growth.

For the moment, citizens can still vote with their feet to relocate to communities or states where tax burdens are more reasonable. But as places to relocate become fewer and fewer, desperate citizens will continue to join tea party groups nationwide and take up a revolution similar to that that occurred when our country was founded.

Len Mead is a Westboro resident and can be reached at mead1720@gmail.com

Comments in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette

wrote:

Angelo,

If so many people support Len Mead, as you suggest, why doesn't he run for public office where he could put his suggstions into practice? For years Len has stood on the sidelines and sharply critized the actions of the School Committee and Board of Selectmen. Driving around town this week I didn't see any Mead for School Committee or Mead for Selectman signs. Why not? Clearly Len and his supporters know that he does not stand a chance of being elected, and are concerned that a trouncing in an election would permanently silence this fool.

Posted on Monday April 11, 2011 at 12:19 PM

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Angelo wrote:

"West Side": Like many of your ilk that feel compelled to attack anyone who advocates fiscal discipline, your arguments are specious and your personal comments towards Mr. Mead are pejorative and completely uncalled for. We can choose to disagree, though we should refrain from being disagreeable.

First of all, if you believe that most Westborough residents disagree with Mr. Mead's positions, I submit that the recent survey conducted by the town and readily accessible on the town's website clearly shows that there is concern about taxes.

In addition, I submit to you that if the Selectmen believed that the town's voters were indeed overwhelmingly opposed to an under-ride (as at least four of the Selectmen clearly are), then they may well have voted to put it on the ballet to prove that point. The fact that they chose not to speaks volumes about what they believe is indeed the sentiment of the town's voters.

Finally, while not necessarily a scientific sampling by any means, the "agree/disagree" votes for your comment are running overwhelmingly "disagree". Perhaps more people than you think share Len's positions and oppose yours.

Posted on Saturday April 9, 2011 at 8:11 AM

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Chuck wrote:

This is not taxation without representation, you are represented by your elected Board of Selectmen. Stop you whining and run. I have driven through Westboro in the last few days and I don't see any signs promoting Mead for Selectman. This guy is another typical Tea Bagger - loaded with criticism, and devoid of answers.

Posted on Friday April 8, 2011 at 10:31 AM

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amandaew83 wrote:

Len sounds like some of the individuals who had the biggest mouths and the fewest solutions in the town I served as selectman in for a nine year period. He presents no solutions and blames public employees for all of the towns problems. I didn't know Westboro had major problems--it seems like a well run town. A tax underride, along with state cuts in aid which are coming once again would obviously have a major impact on the fine schools in town. Those such as Len who are looking to "piggy-back" on efforts in Wisconsin, Ohio and other states to go after public employees benefits should look at the facts. Massachusetts teachers pay 11% of their pay toward retirement--a contributory retirement system. They also pay at least 25% of their ever increasing health insurance costs and upon retirement, most pay 50%. Wisconsin teachers pay 0% of retirement and health care costs which I agree is a bad deal for the state. However, the state negotiators signed the deal and changes should be negotiated--that is how our system works. Why doesn't Len run for selectman if he is so critical of their actions? My guess is that he won't because he is a total fool which is obvious when he rants and raves at town meeting. Every town has people like this who complain like crazy but refuse to actually get directly involved because they know they would never get enough votes to be elected to anything. The majority of people are not stupid which is why in most cases, fools do not get elected--thankfully.

Posted on Friday April 8, 2011 at 10:06 AM

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thrifty wrote:

I'd also like to add that I would like to see property taxes eliminated on primary residences and have them replaced with a local income tax. That way people aren't being taxed on the inflation of their homes and everyone that lives in town can contribute to the cost of running the town. A single mom earning a waitress wage doesn't have to pay 30% or more of her salary towards property taxes while the neighbor with 5 people in the home working full time pays only 3 or 4% of the household wages to the town. I'm sure a 1 or 2 percent local income tax would more than replace property taxes and it would eliminate arbitrary and sometimes capricious revaluations of property values.

Posted on Friday April 8, 2011 at 9:52 AM

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thrifty wrote:

Attacking public unions, or any unions for that matter, seems to be vogue. Try to understand something. The contracts states, towns, and cities have negotiated with unions are binding contracts. How many times have you gone into your employer and offered to pay more for your benefits or volunteered for a cut in pay? The employees of your town and all other publick and private sectors need unions to ensure continuity in their livelihood. With the potential of different administrations every couple years public unions provide some sanity to insane and mean spirited assaults on employees jobs, salaries, and benefits.

Extraordinary raises and perks always seem to go to managers and administrators and in the end the little guys get laid off to pay for it.

Posted on Friday April 8, 2011 at 9:45 AM

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The Truth Hurts ... Incumbents wrote:

Len,
Westborough's best kept secret is yet to come!

Did you know that each year the Town has a "balanced" budget? A year ago, you brave soul, you suggested that bankruptcy was the best option.

For what?

I'll tell you .... over $20 million in unfunded municipal pension obligations. But not to be outdone by the pension obligations the Posy Employment Benefit Unfunded Liability, quietly disclosed in the South Street Sewer Bond solicitation documents, is a whopping $79 million.

In total Westborough's unfunded obligations are just about $100 million.

What Mr. Mead has asked for is a drop in the ocean. What will the Selectman Gang of Four do next?

Stay tuned, it's getting interesting.

Posted on Friday April 8, 2011 at 8:32 AM

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West Side wrote:

Len - The arrogance is with you, not our Selectman. Throw out a number with no specifics regarding what would be cut, and no accountability for the aftermath. Most Westborough residents, including me, are tired of your nonsense sideline grandstanding and whining. If the conditions in this town are so horrible, and the tax burden so unreasonable, do yourself and the rest of the community a favor and leave. Very few Westborough residents will care, and most will be happy to see you go.

Posted on Friday April 8, 2011 at 7:09 AM

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The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of Telegram.com, the Telegram & Gazette, the New York Times Co. or any of its employees.

Westborough Taxpayers Association

Westborough's Minutemen Ready to Fight Higher Taxes