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February 16, 2012

Letter: Think first of the taxpayers!

To the editor:

Regarding Mayor Bill Scanlon's recent State of the City address, let me start by saying he has done a commendable job over the many years in office. I also am cognizant of the need to upgrade Beverly's infrastructure, build schools, fix streets, build a new police station, etc.

However, the mayor and our councilors should also think of the largest source of the money that pays for these projects — the taxpayers.

Whenever a new source of money becomes available, the first question is, "What can we spend it on?" How about asking instead, "How can we keep our tax increase lower for our citizens?"

I say increase because we all know it's never going down. Think of it, an average increase of $330 means that in three years, we will pay another $1,000 in taxes per year. In 10 years, it will be over $3,000 more per year!

I can't speak for others, but I will soon be on a fixed income, and this money will be coming from Social Security and savings. There will be a lot more going out than coming in at that point in my life.

So, mayor and councilors, let's make "What can we spend it on?" the second question you ask yourselves.

Robert Carrarini

Beverly

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