Here’s an open letter to the Board of Finance and RTM from a Westport taxpayer. The writer does not wish to be identified, due to the personal information revealed.
To the Board of Finance and RTM:
I have followed with interest and dismay the decisions made by the Board of Finance on the town and Board of Education budgets. As an employee of the Board of Education, as well as a Westport property owner, I am directly affected by their decisions.
I had planned on paying my property taxes this year (and next). I know that times are tough and money is tight. Now I will lose my full-time job with the Board of Ed, at worst, or have my take-home income reduced, at best.
But that’s okay; I’m industrious. I am lucky enough to have a part-time job, in addition to my full-time job. As long as I don’t actually lose my job, I may be able to make up my reduced take-home by taking extra hours at my part-time job.
Uh-oh. The Board of Finance cut the Library budget. My boss said that if the library is closed on Sundays, he will close because he will lose so much business. So not only can I not get additional hours, I will make less money at my part-time job this year as well.
Gee. I had planned on paying my taxes, I really had. And if the Board of Finance hadn’t done such a good job of protecting me, I still might be able to.
Comments, as always, are welcome encouraged.
Morris Jesup might be lonelier on Sundays, if the Westport Public Library is forced to reduce hours due to budget cuts.