To the Editor:

Since moving to Newtown, I have been fascinated by the duplicity of the electorate. For November elections candidates fall all over themselves about taxes being too high and their plans to reduce the tax burden. A few months later April referendum voters approve tax increases in the form of increased town and school budgets and bonding. Granted, the turnout is much smaller at the April referendum.

The uniquely New England structure of town meetings or referendums pretty much assures high and increasing taxes. Most of the rest of the country vote on multi-year tax mileage rate. There will be millage levy for town, school, library, parks, etc. Year over year budgets cannot exceed the growth in the grand list. Here we approve a budget from which the tax millage is calculated. There is a natural tendency to want to support the town/schools. Year over year a small percentage of Newtown property owners vote increased taxes.

So when considering who will get your vote, I recommend focusing on their policies and qualifications. To focus on taxes, vote in the April referendum.

I am a member of the Board of Finance, but this opinion is strictly my own.

Ned Simpson

42 Watkins Drive, Sandy Hook October 28, 2020