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Attleboro tax hike to face scrutiny
Top Headlines The first is a plan to have the city accept the state's Community Preservation Act, which would raise property taxes to allow Attleboro to preserve open space and historical sites and to create affordable housing. The second is a proposal to open Manchester Reservoir to canoes and kayaks. The reservoir has long been free of any kind of boats, and even fishing is restricted there. Both are being pushed by the city's open space and recreation committee. City Councilor Bill Bowles and Robert Mangiaratti, chairman of the open space committee, agree that the proposals should be the subject of multiple public forums before any action is taken. The committee is working on a five-year update of the plan as required by state law and may be including the two proposals. Regular plan updates are required so the city remains eligible to get state grants to help pay for various open space projects. The more controversial of the two proposals is likely to be acceptance of the Community Preservation Act. Acceptance of the law is required by voters. It would qualify the city for matching state money. An attempt to stir up support for the preservation act in 2003 failed. "These are very substantive things, and before we embark on anything like that, there should be an opportunity for significant public input," Bowles said. "I think we ought to have two or three public forums." Open space committee member Rick Conti said each issue evokes strong opinions, which means that forums will likely be well attended. "Some are really in favor, and some are really opposed," he said about people who know of the suggestions. "Both are very polarizing." Bowles said the council and citizens should try to learn as much about the preservation act as possible before making a decision about putting it on the ballot.
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johnnyahab wrote on Jun 30, 2008 4:45 PM:
1) What stops the city from spending 80% on affordable housing is the establishment of a Community Preservation Committee which is to be made up of one member from Conservation, Planning & Zoning, Historical Commission, Park & Rec, and Housing commission. All these different interests are represented.
2)The state generates its funding from fees at the Registry of Deeds levied on the transactions of homes. The average return for cities and towns that have adopted the act is at a low of several hundred thousand to a high well into the millions.
3) Open space is not only conservation land, it includes athletic fields, parks, and conservation land. While I am not entirely familiar with the Locust Valley expansion, a golf course is NOT considered open space.
4) There are 42 historic sites listed on the Attleboro Special Features Map on the city website
KEVIN H: Since you have chosen to make this an all too tired issue of liberal vs. conservative I feel I only have one thing to say. It is also the same supposedly great CONSERVATIVE tax base that has allowed this city to fall into ruin after its heyday had ended. If having enough foresight to spend a little money now to make more for all later is liberal than I am guilty as charged. "
kevin h. wrote on Jun 30, 2008 2:41 PM:
This is what liberals say when the taxpayers can't afford their pet projects, but it's OK by them because they will just raise taxes later.
Johnny also writes "I for one as a taxpayer in Attleboro (which by the way has one of the lowest tax rates anywhere) would have no problem paying $40 a year to help generate 100's of thousands or even millions to help rebuild & beautify our city"
Firstly, the city has lower taxes because conservative taxpayers have controlled the wild spending dreams that you seem to endorse.
If you don't mind paying higher taxes, go right on ahead and pay extra. I'm sure you pay the higher tax rate on your Mass income tax form. You do, right? "
Soxfan wrote on Jun 30, 2008 2:22 PM:
You seem to be up to speed on the details of the CPA so let me ask a few questions of you:
1.)What is to stop the city from spending 80% on affordable housing?
2.)How does $40 from me turn into "100s of thousands or even millions? (remember, the matching funds are coming out of our pockets as well in the form of other fees statewide)
3.)If open space is such a big issue why did people stand in the way of Locust Valley going to 18 holes? While it would not have been "nature" land it would have been green. Many people believe that when the housing market turns around, the golf course will be developed.
4.) What historical preservation needs my money in Attleboro? ( I am not trying to cause trouble here. I've lived in the city for almost 15 years and have not really noticed anything I consider historical in nature).
I hesitate to give more money to people who have yet to demonstrate that they can spend it responsibly.
Those of you who are saying that affordable housing waives building codes are incorrect. I think it is more accurate to say that the builders are given variences on zoning (lot size, setbacks, etc.) Building codes cannot be waived. "
realist wrote on Jun 30, 2008 2:03 PM:
johnnyahab wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:56 PM:
All of the money has to go to one of the interests of community preservation: historical preservation, open space or affordable housing. The state requires a minimum of 10% of funds to go into each of the three categories. After that the remaining 70% can go into either of the three areas. So in actuality you could spend the remining money all on open space or historic preservation while alotting only the state min 10% to affordable housing. This requires a long term view of investing in the city's future. I know as well as anyone else the fiscal restraints we are under right now. I for one as a taxpayer in Attleboro (which by the way has one of the lowest tax rates anywhere) would have no problem paying $40 a year to help generate 100's of thousands or even millions to help rebuild & beautify our city.
http://www.communitypreservation.org/index.cfm "
Soxfan wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:50 PM:
What a common sense and worthwhile concept....which, unfortunately means it will never be put into action by any government. "
Harry Hindsight wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:48 PM:
List every department in the city. Ask each household where they want their tax dollar spent. The total would equal 100%. It would show the city government where the people feel their money should be spent. As a guide, the form would show what percentage of your tax dollar is being spent on each department so you can guage if it is enough or should be changed. "
Soxfan wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:03 PM:
So here are my questions: where is the money supposed to come from and who can guaarantee me that they will not come begging for more next year? "
kevin h. wrote on Jun 30, 2008 12:58 PM:
As for your question: "Where else can you invest $1 and get $1 in return?"
Most 401k plans have some sort of employee match, up to a certain percent of your income. "
realist wrote on Jun 30, 2008 12:56 PM:
As for affordable housing, they are usually a net tax loss for a community and the builders are allowed to ignore many of the local rules.
But my question still stands, is there a real definition of "affordable housing"? "
johnnyahab wrote on Jun 30, 2008 11:27 AM:
kevin h. wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:38 AM:
johnnyahab, Educate yourself first. "Affordable housing" steals from those who make money to give rewards to those who pay less taxes, use more services, and create more crime. I want to live in Nantucket but can't afford it. Do I deserve to live there, beyond my means, by using your money? NO.America has equal opportunity, not equal outcomes. We all have the freedom to fail. "
Markus wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:28 AM:
ucbruin wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:12 AM:
johnnyahab wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:02 AM:
realist wrote on Jun 30, 2008 8:47 AM:
As for kayaking on the reservoir, I recommend that everyone scrub their boats before putting them in the water or there will be a serious problem with invasive weeds. "
kevin h. wrote on Jun 30, 2008 8:11 AM:
It sounded good until you see the obvious tranfer of wealth into an ill defined project. VOTE NO!!!
Open the res!! Years ago we fought the police chief to get it reopened after they used the poor excuse of terrorism to close it. Thank you Mayor Dumas in that effort.
Plus the tastiest perch are in the middle. (We USED to be allowed to ice fish.) "
Harry Hindsight wrote on Jun 30, 2008 7:23 AM:
In all sense of fairness, we should be taking the Johnny Appleseed approach. For every tree that gets cut for development, one should be planted. Figure out a fair number that for every so many residents of a community, each person should have X amount of open space. Much like one cannot build on 100 percent of their property, you must provide a buffer or green way. "