I have done this in the past and will do it again.
Time to rate the current council. We have had the new council seating as of March and we have come to the first quarter.
Grade this current council!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Entitlements gone wild?
I hate to say it but I will. I told you so! The derry taxpayers ( most of us anyway) are going to take it in the pocketbook again. This time its the entitlement program which is called the Elderly Tax Exemption. Now before we get started I want to say this:
I am not opposed to this program! When its used in its proper manner it is a help to struggling seniors who because of financial hardship can not pay taxes and would therefore lose their home.
In fact, I have supported this program here and in public radio.
However, the last round of elderly exemptions which I was the ONLY councilor to vote against because I saw this as an attempt by the DTA ( Derry Taxpayers Assoc) led by Doug Newell as simply a rouse to gain members in a time when the DTA is struggling politically.
The DTA sent out "surveys" to the seniors in our town to gauge their opinions. ( which interestingly enough the number one response from that survey coming back from those seniors was that taxes would be lower for ALL residents and not just them.)
Message to Doug! They want taxes lower for all not for a select few.
It is interesting to note that these seniors where also given an envelope and asked to contribute money to join the ADT. How convenient!
Now, you will hear it here first folks. The elderly exemptions exceeded the top range for exemption changes that were provided to the Council and the public. Which means it is costing all the rest of the taxpayers not getting exemptions more than the town had planned.
Remember, that when Doug and I debated each other that I said that the exemptions that some get will be made up by the rest of the taxpayers is true. And some say it's only a small amount and will not make a difference. Well I'm here to say that the time to increase exemptions is not when the rest of us are struggling with food costs, heating costs and the economy struggling.
Only when times are good should this be considered and the council that voted this in certainly did not care enough about this effecting you and I.
Here are numbers to look at:
Increase in 2008 exemptions granted +75 ( planned for a lot less)
Increase in 2008 valuation exempted + 9,130,338 ( that's nine mill that we others have to make up)
Total exempted granted in 2007: 162
Total exempted granted in 2008: 237
Total dollar amount granted in 2007 : $18,247,116
Total dollar amount granted in 2008: $27,377,454
Folks, the even more bad news is that they used the same tax rate of 22.05 to get these numbers because they do not set the rate until fall. We all know that it will be even more bad news for the majority of taxpayers in town and that these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg.
Ah but Doug Newell and ADT said they want to compete for more people so that they can take this exemptions.
I bet he does! Additional members for the ADT will finally get Mr. Newell elected.
I am not opposed to this program! When its used in its proper manner it is a help to struggling seniors who because of financial hardship can not pay taxes and would therefore lose their home.
In fact, I have supported this program here and in public radio.
However, the last round of elderly exemptions which I was the ONLY councilor to vote against because I saw this as an attempt by the DTA ( Derry Taxpayers Assoc) led by Doug Newell as simply a rouse to gain members in a time when the DTA is struggling politically.
The DTA sent out "surveys" to the seniors in our town to gauge their opinions. ( which interestingly enough the number one response from that survey coming back from those seniors was that taxes would be lower for ALL residents and not just them.)
Message to Doug! They want taxes lower for all not for a select few.
It is interesting to note that these seniors where also given an envelope and asked to contribute money to join the ADT. How convenient!
Now, you will hear it here first folks. The elderly exemptions exceeded the top range for exemption changes that were provided to the Council and the public. Which means it is costing all the rest of the taxpayers not getting exemptions more than the town had planned.
Remember, that when Doug and I debated each other that I said that the exemptions that some get will be made up by the rest of the taxpayers is true. And some say it's only a small amount and will not make a difference. Well I'm here to say that the time to increase exemptions is not when the rest of us are struggling with food costs, heating costs and the economy struggling.
Only when times are good should this be considered and the council that voted this in certainly did not care enough about this effecting you and I.
Here are numbers to look at:
Increase in 2008 exemptions granted +75 ( planned for a lot less)
Increase in 2008 valuation exempted + 9,130,338 ( that's nine mill that we others have to make up)
Total exempted granted in 2007: 162
Total exempted granted in 2008: 237
Total dollar amount granted in 2007 : $18,247,116
Total dollar amount granted in 2008: $27,377,454
Folks, the even more bad news is that they used the same tax rate of 22.05 to get these numbers because they do not set the rate until fall. We all know that it will be even more bad news for the majority of taxpayers in town and that these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg.
Ah but Doug Newell and ADT said they want to compete for more people so that they can take this exemptions.
I bet he does! Additional members for the ADT will finally get Mr. Newell elected.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
1st in the nation
A well round of applause is in order for the monument committee whom have established Derry as the first in the nation to honor the Iraq and Afghanistan vets with a beautiful monument.
I'm told that it was about a year in the half in the making and the wait was well worth it.
It was a very moving ceremony as we honored all vets and especially our local vets from different era's and different wars. The very first honoree was our very own town treasure Roy Feineuir. Roy fought in WWII and as he was introduced and was there representing all of WWII vets, the crowd had clapped and cheered and there was Roy waving to the crowd. I have had the pleasure to personally know Roy and also Bernie R whom is a vet as well who help put the whole day together. Great job gentlemen.
As the introduction from the Korean war, the Vietnam conflict and the Persian gulf conflicts were in order all the vets stood arm in arm as a band of brothers. This was a moving moment!
We had the Boys scouts lay out the wreaths, we had Pinkerton ROTC help out as well.
We had Senator Sununu, Congresswomen Shea, Senator Letorneau, and Council Chairman Metts.
The Governor gave a brief speech and awarded a proclamation to the town.
What a great day to say thanks to our Vets!!
I'm told that it was about a year in the half in the making and the wait was well worth it.
It was a very moving ceremony as we honored all vets and especially our local vets from different era's and different wars. The very first honoree was our very own town treasure Roy Feineuir. Roy fought in WWII and as he was introduced and was there representing all of WWII vets, the crowd had clapped and cheered and there was Roy waving to the crowd. I have had the pleasure to personally know Roy and also Bernie R whom is a vet as well who help put the whole day together. Great job gentlemen.
As the introduction from the Korean war, the Vietnam conflict and the Persian gulf conflicts were in order all the vets stood arm in arm as a band of brothers. This was a moving moment!
We had the Boys scouts lay out the wreaths, we had Pinkerton ROTC help out as well.
We had Senator Sununu, Congresswomen Shea, Senator Letorneau, and Council Chairman Metts.
The Governor gave a brief speech and awarded a proclamation to the town.
What a great day to say thanks to our Vets!!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tax Cap Mania spreading!
What do Franklin, Nashua, Dover and Derry have in common? Answer: A tax cap! And now a movement is picking up some steam to bring this tax cap to other communities. Derry has had its cap for awhile now and the debates continue on its effectiveness.
Our tax cap only effects the town side of your tax bill. Presently representing $7.50 of our $22.05 over all tax rate.
The tax rate consists of town side, school side, state, and county taxes. Only the town side is held under a tax cap which is tied into the CPI " consumer price index". Over the years, the average has been around 3% and meaning town side taxes may only increase by that CPI index or roughly 3% year.
Londonderry is now looking at bring one to their town and will look for a ballot question to ask its residents if they would install one in their town. Plenty of discussion to go around on pro's and cons.
Last week, I was asked to speak on New Hampshire Public Radio's Exchange program with Laura Noy on a live radio program on the subject.
If you would like to hear this program and my views on it here is a link to get there
http://www.nhpr.org/node/15988
***note Go to the listen icon on top and hit either window media or mp3 to listen to show*****
After listening to this debate , let me hear what you think about tax caps!!!
Our tax cap only effects the town side of your tax bill. Presently representing $7.50 of our $22.05 over all tax rate.
The tax rate consists of town side, school side, state, and county taxes. Only the town side is held under a tax cap which is tied into the CPI " consumer price index". Over the years, the average has been around 3% and meaning town side taxes may only increase by that CPI index or roughly 3% year.
Londonderry is now looking at bring one to their town and will look for a ballot question to ask its residents if they would install one in their town. Plenty of discussion to go around on pro's and cons.
Last week, I was asked to speak on New Hampshire Public Radio's Exchange program with Laura Noy on a live radio program on the subject.
If you would like to hear this program and my views on it here is a link to get there
http://www.nhpr.org/node/15988
***note Go to the listen icon on top and hit either window media or mp3 to listen to show*****
After listening to this debate , let me hear what you think about tax caps!!!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Legal Advise not heard costs $$$
Lets see if we can all follow some logic here for a moment. The Town of Derry has its own legal council who have been with this town for many years and with that comes a working knowledge and history which makes it a little bit easier than if we had to start with a new legal council for legal issues. Would you all agree?
Many times the issue comes up on the amount of dollars spent on legal issues and opinions and many times it comes up at the most political of times. Agree? The last two years especially.
Now when the town council decided to finally put to rest the McKinley/ Lake shore rd issue behind us- We find out that it will cost the taxpayers of this town many dollars. I am going to put behind the argument of whether or not it IS or ISN'T a public or private rd for now. The fact is that until last month, the town had these roads as private roads. No denying this fact.
The residents of this road to their credit came in front of this council for 2 years with their beliefs and opinions in hand and made their case that if they did not get their roads made public that a lawsuit would soon follow.
At last months meeting, when the vote came up to accept these roads as public, a question came up from new councilor Wetherbee. He asked legal council if we were approving the roads "as is" or according to the plot plan that was done long ago. The answer from Legal council? Plot plan according to RSA's. What happened? Four councilors voted to go against the advise of Legal council and voted as is.
The problem? Well I can tell you as the only councilor who has planning experience and as a realtor understand the ramifications of not heeding legal opinion and seeing first hand ( as all the councilors did as well) see the plot plan road was a lot longer than what actually is there. ( Meaning property owners have now officially encroached on town road). BIG BIG PROBLEM!
And now legal council ( knowing what a nightmare this could create) renders an opinion that the vote should be rescinded, then a survey should be done, then vote the right way to accept.
Did the councilors listen to legal council? Only three did. The other four voted to keep the things the way they are and NOT LISTEN TO LEGAL COUNCIL.
SO, today we paid for the legal councils first opinion, then because of a mistake of voting the first time ( Admitted by one of the councilors in public meeting) a second legal opinion to rescind cost the taxpayers and to add insult to injury, do not listen again and the topper of it all
Now the taxpayers will need to foot the $9000 bill to straighten out the survey.
The problem I brought up. It sets a bad precedent which will ultimately cost the taxpayers more money. The right way to do it you ask?
Wait until a survey was done on the road ( at a cost to the residents on that road. They were going to sue anyway remember. use that money to do the right thing) then come to vote on acceptance. It would of cost the taxpayers a hell of lot less money doing things the right way.
Cu dos to Councilor Wetherbee for catching on to the real issue early on. To bad the rest of the councilors did not listen.
Many times the issue comes up on the amount of dollars spent on legal issues and opinions and many times it comes up at the most political of times. Agree? The last two years especially.
Now when the town council decided to finally put to rest the McKinley/ Lake shore rd issue behind us- We find out that it will cost the taxpayers of this town many dollars. I am going to put behind the argument of whether or not it IS or ISN'T a public or private rd for now. The fact is that until last month, the town had these roads as private roads. No denying this fact.
The residents of this road to their credit came in front of this council for 2 years with their beliefs and opinions in hand and made their case that if they did not get their roads made public that a lawsuit would soon follow.
At last months meeting, when the vote came up to accept these roads as public, a question came up from new councilor Wetherbee. He asked legal council if we were approving the roads "as is" or according to the plot plan that was done long ago. The answer from Legal council? Plot plan according to RSA's. What happened? Four councilors voted to go against the advise of Legal council and voted as is.
The problem? Well I can tell you as the only councilor who has planning experience and as a realtor understand the ramifications of not heeding legal opinion and seeing first hand ( as all the councilors did as well) see the plot plan road was a lot longer than what actually is there. ( Meaning property owners have now officially encroached on town road). BIG BIG PROBLEM!
And now legal council ( knowing what a nightmare this could create) renders an opinion that the vote should be rescinded, then a survey should be done, then vote the right way to accept.
Did the councilors listen to legal council? Only three did. The other four voted to keep the things the way they are and NOT LISTEN TO LEGAL COUNCIL.
SO, today we paid for the legal councils first opinion, then because of a mistake of voting the first time ( Admitted by one of the councilors in public meeting) a second legal opinion to rescind cost the taxpayers and to add insult to injury, do not listen again and the topper of it all
Now the taxpayers will need to foot the $9000 bill to straighten out the survey.
The problem I brought up. It sets a bad precedent which will ultimately cost the taxpayers more money. The right way to do it you ask?
Wait until a survey was done on the road ( at a cost to the residents on that road. They were going to sue anyway remember. use that money to do the right thing) then come to vote on acceptance. It would of cost the taxpayers a hell of lot less money doing things the right way.
Cu dos to Councilor Wetherbee for catching on to the real issue early on. To bad the rest of the councilors did not listen.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Open Forum
What issue(s) are on your mind? With the budgets all finished for this year. What are those issues that need to be addressed or brought up for discussion?
We want to hear from you. SO look for the response box below and tell us your thoughts.
We want to hear from you. SO look for the response box below and tell us your thoughts.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Small town side increase
Another budget year mostly completed and it looks like town side taxes will be increased by .16 cents begining in July 09 budget.
Councilors spent the last two weeks reviewing the 09 budget line by line and came out with a budget that did not spend up to the tax cap. The allowed tax increase via town tax cap which is deterimed by the prevuious years CPI index would of allowed a .21 cents increase ( my previous post made .23 cents was incorrect) however the sitting councilors found savings of about $153,000 from the Administrators recommendations.
Items cut were: a vacant librarian position (Derry public Library)
$8000 in Health Dept's personnel line
A part time custodian position from Public works ( Funding of position)
And we had savings from insurance that helped lower the numbers.
Most important is that the majority of councilors allowed the police chief to hire two officers ( which were previuosly flagged for elimination or/ combo 1/2 elim with funding) However we recognized the fact that these are not 2 new positions but replaced postions with retiring officers.
Another good job by this council on a good budget process.
What do you think about budget process??? Share your thoughts!
Councilors spent the last two weeks reviewing the 09 budget line by line and came out with a budget that did not spend up to the tax cap. The allowed tax increase via town tax cap which is deterimed by the prevuious years CPI index would of allowed a .21 cents increase ( my previous post made .23 cents was incorrect) however the sitting councilors found savings of about $153,000 from the Administrators recommendations.
Items cut were: a vacant librarian position (Derry public Library)
$8000 in Health Dept's personnel line
A part time custodian position from Public works ( Funding of position)
And we had savings from insurance that helped lower the numbers.
Most important is that the majority of councilors allowed the police chief to hire two officers ( which were previuosly flagged for elimination or/ combo 1/2 elim with funding) However we recognized the fact that these are not 2 new positions but replaced postions with retiring officers.
Another good job by this council on a good budget process.
What do you think about budget process??? Share your thoughts!
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