Is Our Community Worth $1.67 Per Day?
To the Editor:
The proposed average daily tax increase is less than the cost of a cup of coffee.
Our 2025-2026 Town and Education budget will increase 3.94% over last year’s budget and includes mandatory health insurance escalations, union wage increases, and utility rates beyond our control. There is no room for extras. To maintain our community’s safety and security, fire departments, schools, and senior services, we must increase our property taxes by 6.72% to match the 2026 budget.
Although this may sound like a steep increase, your tax increase will depend on the value of your property. For example, if your home value is $700,000 and you currently pay property taxes of $11,326, the increase will be $761 for 2026 or $3.07 per day. If your home value is less, you will pay less.
A home value of $470,000 and annual property taxes of $6,148 will increase $413 or $1.13 per day.
I think you will agree that our community is worth more than the cost of our daily coffee.
Jill Soderholm
Newtown
Breaking the tax increase down to a “cost per day” may make it sound more palatable, but it minimizes the real impact these increases have—especially on those already struggling with rising costs across the board. A dollar here and a dollar there adds up, and for many families, it’s not just about the price of a cup of coffee—it’s about stretching every dollar to cover groceries, fuel, healthcare, and housing.
A 6.72% property tax increase is significant, regardless of how it’s framed. Saying “it’s only $1.13 a day” overlooks the fact that for some residents, every expense matters. Just because costs are rising doesn’t mean the burden should automatically fall on taxpayers without exploring real efficiencies, cost savings, or long-term planning.
We need to prioritize fiscal responsibility and find smarter ways to manage our town’s needs without assuming residents can or should absorb another round of tax hikes.