Letter: I support Tiverton's FTR but some aim to neuter it

Posted 5/29/17

To the editor:

I write as a candidate for the upcoming Charter Review Commission.  I do this as a strong advocate for our Financial Town Referendum (FTR) which, since its enactment in 2011, has …

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Letter: I support Tiverton's FTR but some aim to neuter it

Posted

To the editor:

I write as a candidate for the upcoming Charter Review Commission.  I do this as a strong advocate for our Financial Town Referendum (FTR) which, since its enactment in 2011, has proven an effective instrument for us, the citizens of Tiverton, to message with clout our representatives on the Town Council and Budget Committees, to rein in town spending, and to exercise some control over our taxes. 

Even with the influence of the FTR and the effect it has had in leveling tax increases, Tiverton still has the highest tax rate of all surrounding towns.  And, it’s not only a little bit higher, it’s a lot higher, Close to twenty percent higher than the next highest tax rate of our neighboring towns. FY 2016-2017, Tiverton taxes $19.14 on every $1,000 of assessed value for real estate, giving us the dubious honor of being the area’s most highly taxed town.

We in Tiverton have a real problem.  Our expenses and taxes make us uncompetitive with other towns and we can’t afford to allow a Charter Review Commission to mess around with the FTR, the instrument that allows us, the citizens of Tiverton, to control our taxes.

Unfortunately, there are others running for the Charter Review Commission, perhaps as many as half of the 24 on the ballot, who are not friendly to the FTR.  In fact, some candidates have gone so far as to advocate for the elimination of the FTR, while others have floated ‘ideas’ that would have the effect of neutering the FTR, making it less effective to control tax increases.  We can’t elect candidates for the upcoming Charter Review Commission who in any way want to neuter our FTR.  We must elect candidates to the Charter Review Commission who respect and support the FTR as a means to limit spending and taxes.

Bottom line: if you like the FTR, you will like me and want my voice on the Charter Review Commission. 

I ask for your vote on July 18.

John Perkins

Tiverton

The author is a candidate for the Tiverton Charter Review Commission.

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