Community Corner
Buffer the mill rate, then we can vote yes
After several failures of the town government to listen to the will of the people, Bethel's budget proposal is finally in line with inflation. This will cause about a 2 percent increase (+ 0.62) in the tax (mill) rate.
At the most recent town meeting we were told, in answer to a question I asked, that only a draw of $450,000 from the town's "fund balance" would keep the mill rate at 31.5. That was bad information, the real amount being over $1.1 million. Clearly that much draw would damage the AAA bond rating Bethel enjoys.
When the chair of the Board of Finance said that he would consider, but did not personally think taking from the fund balance was a good thing to do, I take Mr. Kingston at his word.
Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
I fully expect a special meeting of his board will discuss some amount of mill rate relief. At least take the increase down to 0.5 or a little below ($250,000 would do that). The taxpayers need relief, and I do expect promises to be kept that this will be considered.
Honor that promise (to consider), and I will vote Yes; that's what the sign on my lawn says.