Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 11/3/2022
WARE – Ware residents can expect to see a question regarding changing the tax levy on the Nov. 8 election ballots.
According to the town of Ware website, ballot question number five proposes an underride of $400,000.
“This would remove $400,000 from the tax levy [taxes raised] for next year and each year afterward. The underride would reduce the amount available for the subsequent annual budgets [operations or capital] by $400,000.”
The explanation continued, “This would have an impact on the tax rate of approximately $0.40 per thousand or approximately $80 on a home valued at $200,000. A no vote would not change the tax levy or funds available for the budget.”
John Morrin, chair of the Ware Select Board, explained the reasoning behind the ballot question. During a Finance Committee meeting, he said, a member shared that there was $400,000 not spent in the annual budget. Morrin said the idea was thrown out to use this money to lower taxes. If the money was not used, it would be put into a stability account.
After talking with Town Manager Stuart Beckley, Morrin said the Select Board later discussed the topic at one of their meetings and ultimately decided to place this question on the ballot.
“It’s people’s money,” said Morrin. He said he believes that residents should have the right to vote on where their money is going.
Morrin noted that the policy of the current board is to let the voters decide on these important matters, whether that be through a ballot question in an election or a special town meeting.
“[We] always have people come to us about slowing growth of taxes,” said Morrin. “This is a great way to do so.”