To the editor:

Like Councilor Hilton did two weeks prior, Budget Committee member David Paull makes my point in his recent letter. In FY17, when the alternative remand option budget won, the Budget Committee vindictively sought to punish taxpayers' attempt to hold the line on taxes by stripping certain town services - followed by the Town Council using “transfers” to retain these services. Both “remand” and “transfers” were in play – which I support – but somehow Paull doesn’t.

Hilton and Paull seek to strip taxpayers of the right to “remand,” while maintaining the council’s ability to “transfer” funds contrary to a voter-approved budget with specified line items. Without the remand option, the FTR petitioner would have no option but to specify every single budget line item.

If that FTR petition were approved by voters, then the Town Council should be required to abide by that budget. Otherwise, the petitioner effort to specify each line item has no meaning, and “transparency” is lost. As you can see, Hilton and Paull want it both ways: They want to make it difficult for the FTR petitioner, and then if that budget is approved by voters, they want the council to be able to use transfers change it to what they want anyway (a mockery).

Mr. Paull, while you float the suspect claim that Tiverton “... firefighters are among the lowest paid in the state,” I remind you that Tiverton taxes are among the highest in the state. You are surely aware that contractual obligations, including firefighter salaries and overtime, eat up well over half of the town budget and taxpayer funds. I ask you to disclose your “self-serving” interest, as I understand that you are, in fact, a firefighter.

Paull’s statements about the ideology of the Tiverton Taxpayer Association (TTA) reveals a gross ignorance. The TTA fights tirelessly year after year to increase taxpayer value. If this means that the annual firefighter overtime scam isn’t as “fat” as firefighters like, then that is a win for taxpayers.

Interestingly, speaking of “fat,” Paull’s Budget Committee is poised to recommend a 10% spending increase for the municipal government – 10%. Line the town coffers just when the casino monies start rolling in. Conversely, the TTA wants to lower the tax burden for all taxpaying residents. But somehow Paull labels the TTA goal, not his Budget Committee’s, “self-serving.”

And with this 10% spending increase looming, the Newport Daily News reports that Paull “plans to appeal” his recently increased property valuation. Budget Committee member Paull supports increased spending, but then seeks to levy the resulting tax burden on your household – not his own.

As George Orwell so eloquently said, "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others."

Jeff Caron

Tiverton


Mr. Caron is a member of the Charter Review Commission and the Tiverton Taxpayers Association.