I am a lifelong resident of Easthampton and have been reading the pros and cons of the proposed new pre-kindergarten through Grade 8 school.
My concern lies with all us senior citizens who may be forced to sell their homes and move out of town if the burden of increased taxes keep rising.
Let us all keep in mind that we just finished paying off the Public Safety Complex, and are now paying for the new high school. I’m sure we will face a tax increase come July 1, 2018, along with an anticipated rise in water and sewer rates and of course the mention of the ludicrous water runoff tax.
The January 2018 cost of living adjustment 2 percent raise that seniors received from Social Security has been easily dissolved with the rising medical insurance rates and prescription drug rates.
And now the city of Easthampton wants to add to this heavy load of expenses on seniors by raising taxes an average of a whopping $877 per year. Do you think Social Security will be gifting seniors with a 5-plus percent cost of living adjustment in the near future?? I don’t think so.
How much more do the senior citizens of Easthampton have to sacrifice and make do with the mere pittance they receive monthly?
I’m looking for some mercy from Easthampton and hope that the senior citizens join me in voting “no” on this $109.3 million project.
Bonnie Harrison
Easthampton