An End Run Around Proposition 2 ½

Swampscott Town Planners are trying to increase taxes paid in the town of Swampscott by circumventing the Prop 2 1/2 requirement for a voter over ride to increase taxes over 2 1/2 %.

It comes as another effort to implement a plan in Swampscott called the Community Preservation Act. Like much bureaucratese, this Act sounds grand. What is it really about?

Simply put, if this Act is approved and enacted in Swampscott, your tax rates are going to increase. A surcharge of 3% will be added to your current tax for the purpose of creating and preserving new and old open recreation space, (10% minimum) provide help in restoring historic buildings (10% minimum) and increasing the amount of affordable housing in the town, (minimum 10%).The other 70% of the funds can be used for totally unrelated purposes. One suggestion last time this came up was to provide housing supplements to certain town employees.

Theoretically, this money is not to be used in the town general fund. However, when one is getting “surcharge” funds for parks, recreation, historic restoration and affordable housing…well, the town can shift funds from those accounts in the regular budget. This is a bait and switch deal of the highest order. Don’t fall for it.

This sound familiar? Yes it should. In 2006 Swampscott voters overwhelmingly voted down this tax increase. Like many decisions of voters in Swampscott, (remember the vote for the Police Station?), the decision of the citizens is rarely accepted, especially on the first go around. Once more, there are reports that members of the Swampscott Planning Council, under the direction of our Senior Town Planner Pete Kane, (see, the Swampscott Reporter, Thursday July 26, 2012. p. 3) wish to wash the dirt off, cover up the blemishes and send this old sow out for another go.

People in Swampscott may not be aware that as of this year, Swampscott’s tax rate is higher than any surrounding town. Yes, that includes Marblehead. There are more important structural problems that the Town needs to consider in the next few years, including repairs and improvements to the town water system. Now, Lynn processes the water overflow from Swampscott waste water for which the Town pays fees to Lynn.To eliminate these fees, we need to do much work on our water infrastructure. How will that be paid? Can you foresee further rate increases? I certainly do.

If there are town members who feel they can or should pay increased money for open spaces and historic rehabilitation, feel free to make donations to the town for this purpose.

This resurgence of an idea that was soundly rejected by the town just six (6) years ago needs to be nipped in the bud. The Town Planners need to start planning on how to live within a very reasonable taxpayer funded budget.