Sure, most families in Bridgewater can afford to have their taxes increase by over $500 next year. The supporters of the previous override vote have stated that they can even afford more than that. However, there are many that can’t afford an over 13% increase to their tax bill. The tightening mortgage market has pretty much eliminated the chance for them to refinance, and their only option would be to sell their home or face foreclosure. These are the real outcomes of Saturday’s vote.
In public forums and on cable television, supporters of higher taxes have displayed contempt for those planning to vote no. They joke that we don’t have a high school education, and tell us to just get better jobs. They have openly hinted that if this override passes, there should be another override in a few years. It all amounts to the simple fact that the yes voters simply don’t even want us to live in the same Town as they do. They would happily see those people who can’t afford this hefty tax increase be forced to put their house up for sale and move out of Town. That way, another person who can afford these tax increases can move in. They don’t care what senior, single parent or new family is going to be forced out of Town by this tax increase. Heck, they obviously don’t think we should be living in their Bridgewater anyway.
In a society we all pay taxes to fund public safety, education and other essential town services. You may never send a child to public school, but you understand the importance of funding education. You may never call the fire department, but you’re obviously glad your money is going to keep it open. At the same time some families receive far more in services than they pay for due to other families who pay far more in taxes than they receive. We must all respect the differing families, which contribute to our tax base or else we risk losing them. And yes, we should care if we’re pricing our neighbors out of their homes.
It’s time our town leaders stepped up and solved Bridgewater’s fiscal problems without threatening those families already in a tight financial situation. It’s time they brought health insurance costs and pension plans in line with what most of us receive in the private sector. It’s time they called for a full fiscal review of the Town. We already know that they are not going to do this voluntarily. They find it much easier to scapegoat hardworking taxpayers. We need to Vote No on September 8th in order to send a message that they will finally understand.