We’re Screwed (Part VI)
By Jim Conley • Jan 10th, 2007 • Email This Post to a Friend •
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So, at last night’s Selectmen’s meeting the “Gang that Can’t Spend Straight” (the Brookline Selectmen) brought in John Robertson of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (see previous post) to advise on a Prop 2.5 over-ride for Brookline.
Between all the gushing over Brookline as a model in municipal management (a real surprise seeing that Town Administrator Richard Kelliher is the immediate past president of Robertson’s organization), Robertson’s presentation had the effect of a criminal jury only hearing the prosecution’s case.
With Brookline’s $14.3 billion valuation, the amount of taxes that could be collected (were it not for Prop 2.5) is around $300 million, but we only collect $130 million. An over-ride would help close this gap, says Robertson.
Well, I guess if you ignore the fact that nearly 40% of homes sold in Brookline over the past two fiscal quarters did so at prices below their assessed value, if you ignore the add-on charges of sewer, trash collection, athletic fees, building permits and parking fines to the cost borne by taxpayers; and if you think a Aaa bond rating is the sine qua non of efficient municipal government, than an over-ride makes sense.
(And you have to also overlook the fact that the Massachusetts Municipal Association does not exist to serve the interests of taxpayers, but to serve the interests of the municipalities that finance their work. It’s a bit naive to think you’re going to get unvarnished advice from people who depend on income from the dues you pay.)
On the subject of the Aaa rating, Robertson says that nearly all Massachusetts communities with a similar bond grade have significant gaps between the tax levy and capacity due to valuation.
Well of course they do. Why do you think Brookline has a Aaa rating? Credit ratings are meant to advise investors on risk (not as a kind of Michelin rating for the management team in a municipality). The more resources - as in a $14 billion valuation - you have to back up the credit, the better the rating.
What have we learned about a government that hears only what it wants to hear? We’ve learned that it’s time to put the adults in charge.
Hopefully, it’s not too late.
Jim Conley is publisher of On Brookline.
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Here’s a currently apropos variation on the late Walt Kelly’s Pogo’s adage near the end of the Vietnam War: “We have met the enemy and they is the Selectmen.” There is an election coming up in May for at least one Selectman and many TMMs. Whether any proposed override will be on the ballot then is questionable. But if voters do not demand accountability from our elected Town officials, then, as Pogo really said back when, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
[...] The Commonwealth is staring at a $1 billion deficit because people are earning less. So what does that mean for Brookline? It means that instead of making cuts in the municipal budget, the Brookline Selectmen will pin their fiscal policy on a Prop 2.5 override (see previous post). [...]
[...] Jim Conley of OnBrookline reported something similar from a town meeting on a looming override vote: With Brookline’s $14.3 billion valuation, the amount of taxes that could be collected (were it not for Prop 2.5) is around $300 million, but we only collect $130 million. An over-ride would help close this gap, says Robertson. [...]
The momentary success in beating back the (CPA) 3 percent real tax is to be followed by a FULL BLOWN Proposition 2.5 override campaign. While at the same time cutting the Commercial Tax Rate as too high for “Mom & Pop” business! Horsepucky! One has to be sitting on their head to buy into that notion! Clearly the majority of Commercial Property is owned by RIT’s and to lower their TAX RATE only permits THEM to keep rents at an inflated level that prohibits “Mom & Pop” business! Brookline has much less COMMERCIAL PROPERTY then elsewhere. We are desperate for revenue and should increase the COMMERCIAL TAX RATE to force RENT REDUCTIONS that would favor “Mom & Pop” businesses? It’s HIGH RENTS!
HOW MANY BIG MACS DO YOU HAVE TO SELL TO PAY THE RENT? IF THE TAXES ARE HIGH, IT’S TOO COSTLY TO KEEP STORES VACANT! The only REVENUE scheme on the table now is parking permits and increased fines. Did our Selectpersons scrap this REVENUE OPPORTUNITY to reinforce a climate of cash ’short fall’ to make a 2.5 override more critical? Coolidge Corner has become SHABBY CORNERS. From the time Touraine Stores quit CC from an OUTRAGEOUS rent increase demand things have gone straight down hill. Tickets are a solid source of revenue. People will not stay away from Brookline because we ticket like our neighbors.
2 hour parking should be enforced. Traffic should move smoothly through CC to make it a choice destination. Today it’s a place to avoid! Waiters should not be parking in front of the store all day.
Born in town I think its time to become a CITY and retire our Part Time “Leaders” with thanks but in 2000 we need full time professional management. Who can be fired for not performing.
Christopher J. Pauli,
Naples Road, Lodging House Owner/Manager