Why Aren’t All

Newtown’s Horses Taxed

To the Editor:

In May of 1992, just two days after my parents sold the home I was born and raised in, I married and made the “big move” from Newtown to Monroe. I still have strong ties to Newtown, and I purchase The Bee, so I can stay informed on what is going on in town.

In March of this year I received a letter from a collection agency hired by the tax collector’s office in Newtown for taxes due on my old car ($113.76), including interest. It was addressed with my maiden name to my current address. I paid the bill, the only question I had was, “Why wasn’t a tax bill mailed by the tax collector’s office directly to me during the past nine years in Monroe?” I had not planned on complaining about the poor record keeping or the fact that Newtown had put an undeserved black spot on my credit report – until I read the letters to the editor for August 17, 2001.

Tell me, how can residents, horse owners, and taxpayers not have their horses registered as personal property (as of fiscal year ending 2000 only 217 horses of an estimated 2,000 horses in town were registered)? If Newtown wants revenues, have the tax assessor and the tax collector work long term (maybe with a task force?) to register all horses in Newtown. Here’s a tip: start with NBLA’s membership list. It is obvious that if you own a horse in Newtown you can do anything – slander individuals with anonymous fliers and petitions, build barns without permits, run illegal businesses, and not register or pay taxes on your horses.

Realtors – any “horse” property for sale??

Anne Kennedy Gulia,

proud sister of Meg Maurer

21 Diane Drive, Monroe                  August 21, 2001