In Rye − small numbers add up

March 5 − To the Editor:

The Rye Newsletter was published last Friday. The first article dealt with financial items that will be decided on March 12th. Eighteen specific warrant items were listed, with a cost of $722,500, along with associated tax impacts, adding up to a mere 22 cents. Who would worry about twenty two cents? Considering that the Town portion of the tax rate is $2.26, that little 22 cents is a 9.7% increase in the Town tax rate.

We should ask ourselves why no tax impact was shown for the $13,457,939 Town General Fund budget. That $13+ million will have a tax impact of 20 cents. The combined increase is 42 cents, resulting in an 18.6% increase in the Town tax rate. This is the 800 pound gorilla in the room that the Select Board doesn't want you to know about.

The overall tax rate is made up of a number of items, including the Town portion, the County portion and the School portion. The County budget increase is 4% and the School general fund increase is 3.8%. So, why the disproportionate increase in the Town portion of the tax rate? Having sat through the entire budget process last fall it appears to me that the Select Board does not keep an eye on the big picture (the tax impact) while, at the same time, reviewing specific budget requests, looking for efficiencies and seeking less costly alternatives.

It seems disingenuous at best for the Select Board to list the tax impact of $722,500 in proposed spending while ignoring the tax impact of more than $13 million in spending. This exhibits a lack of transparency and trust in the voters. It is time for more responsible leadership on the Select Board. Please vote for Rob Wright.

Hugh T. Lee Rye