To the editor:

Almost a year ago, my husband and I attended Barrington’s Financial Town Meeting. About half-way through, we realized our votes would be useless and we left.  

That night, we decided to sell our house and move to a place where our income would not be eaten away in tax hikes that were unrealistic for the average citizen. Understand that our income is sufficient to pay any reasonable tax increase (even if increases occur annually). The issue was in our public officials’ inability to balance a budget, because it was easier just to raise property taxes.

I grew up in Barrington (Class of 1966) as did my mother (Class of 1937). After a 15-year absence, my husband and I moved back to Barrington in 1985 and bought our house. My parents, Tom and Rita Mellow, were getting on in years, and we wanted to be closer to them and the rest of my family. We enjoyed making Barrington our home. However, that all changed last May. Not knowing where we wanted to live, we put our house up for sale in June; sold and closed in August; rented in Seekonk until we could sort things out; bought a house in Florida at the end of October; and moved in on Dec. 1. 

I want to wish the residents of Barrington many happy days. Yes, you will occasionally be asked to give more of your income to support the town budget, but you will just need to readjust your own household budget to oblige. Always remember that every tax rate hike and every increase in the valuation of your property are for the children.

Also, my many thanks to the people running Barrington’s finances and school system for providing us the incentive needed to sell our home of 31 years. Our retirement income is certainly put to better use in Florida, and our weather is so much better! 

I will miss our family and friends up north. However, Rhode Island is only a plane ride away. With the money we are saving on taxes (town property taxes and state income taxes), we can visit whenever we want!

Sincerely,

Barbara Carlin

Venice, Fla.