Last year, the Town of Bridgewater was very upfront about letting the taxpayers know what would be the actual, full outcome of voting for the overrides. They released the fact that the average property tax bill would increase by $189, and that the override would add $411 on top of that increase for a total tax increase of $600.
However, this year they are not informing the citizens about this fact. Apparently, they are hoping they will be able to swing some votes if homeowners believe that they are facing a smaller than actual tax increase. The proponents of the override keep hammering home the rhetoric that this override will increase taxes by only $191, and they are simply ignoring the fact that this will be on top of already approved tax increases.
We have been asked for and we would love to give you the full amount that the average tax bill will increase if this override passes, but the Town has not yet published this information. All we know is that the pre-override increase will be higher than the $189 from last year due to the increased amount of bonding issued to pay for the refurbishing of the old High School. If the proponents of the override really believe that an estimated $400 tax increase is a small amount that anybody should be willing to pay, then why are they being coy about the real impact this override will have on the average tax bill?