To the editor:

A great deal of the debate at this month’s Financial Town Meeting focused on affordable housing for our senior residents. After much discussion, the proposal for taxpayers to spend $3.5 million to buy the Carmelite Monastery property passed by the slimmest of margins - with no financial impact statement or projected effect on the tax rate. We learned at the end of the meeting that next year’s tax rate, taking the recent revaluation into consideration, would increase from a projected $18.90 per $1,000 of assessed value to $19.13 because of the monastery bond and two much smaller bonds. Not one public official mentioned the potential increase to the tax rate before the votes were taken. Nor were any details presented about how much it will cost for a plan that does not exist yet.

I’m not here to debate whether the town should have purchased the property, as that ship has sailed. But whatever the solution is, it doesn’t address the heart of the problem. As many residents growing older here would tell you: They want a way to stay in their own home, not move to “affordable” housing. They want to continue living in the home where they raised a family and built decades-long friendships with neighbors. A place where their children and grandchildren can come to visit.

I would suggest the town council and town manager give serious consideration to a program the town of Smithfield adopted many years ago: Anyone turning 65 who has owned a home in town for at least 10 years is entitled to have his or her taxes frozen — until they die, or sell their home. If Barrington felt that was too lenient, it could increase ownership to 20 years.

It allows those who have paid off their mortgages the assurance that their cost to live in Barrington will remain stable for as long as they choose to continue living here. The town would have to commission a financial impact study (apparently a novel concept to some) to determine how much this would cost the town, but one thing is clear from Smithfield’s experience: those costs are substantially offset by having homes that remain in the hands of older residents with no children in the school system. 

Who moves to Barrington? Families trying to get into one of the best school systems in the state, some bringing multiple children. They often purchase homes from senior residents, adding to the town’s student population.

Smithfield has been aggressive in conducting yearly checks to make sure those who have their property taxes frozen use Smithfield as their primary residence (those who split their time between here and Florida and do not claim Smithfield as their primary residence are not eligible). The town estimates that 15 percent of its property owners qualify for the program.

I have been a homeowner in Barrington for 35 years; my twins went to the public schools here for 12 years, leaving 23 years that I have paid taxes with no burden on the town’s schools. I have no problem helping educate other people’s children with my taxes, just as many supported my children - and me growing up a product of Barrington schools.

Now we have a chance to take some of that burden off those who have paid taxes for so many years, long after their children are grown.

Can’t we get creative and do that for our own seniors?

Jim Hummel

Barrington