I have not had much to say for the past 6 months or so. Frankly, Hopkinton is a lost cause. I repeatedly see the Town Council and School Board continue to run their appointed charges like a pack of drunken monkeys. And I’m just tired of pointing out their stupidity. I’d rather spend my time doing something productive. But I feel I should point out a most recent case in point: The new HPD contract. Tom Buck was apparently a primary player in the negotiations that led to the new contract, and a slew of raises for the HPD. No one is giving raises in this economy. No one. State and local governments across the country are cutting salaries. But not Hopkinton! Hopkinton can apparently afford to pay money out the ass. In fact, the newest figures suggest that our taxes are set to increase by about $1 per $1000 in the next budget cycle. So the average homeowner can expect to pay at least an additional $250 a year. This year. I’ll be paying a little more myself, FYI.
Next year, the state of Rhode Island plans to cut Chariho’s state aid by $7 million. Since we get $14 million, that is about a 50% cut. So, next year, you can expect your taxes to increase easily by $750. Really. That $7 million will be split about 3 ways, so Hopkinton will need to come up with an additional $2.5 million or so and that boils down to approximately $750 for a $250,000 household.
Well, with all our very useful Town employees and our over-rated police force, my guess is that we will actually be paying a solid $1000 more per year.
According to the Chariho Times , the town manager says, “The town is continuing to seek financial relief from Chariho to reduce the town’s contribution, which would in turn lower the property tax increase,” McGarry said. Is he stupid or is it just because he is new? Dumbass, you ain’t getting squat from Chariho!
Can you afford your taxes to jump $1000 a year? I can. I’m a rich guy. It pisses me off, I’d rather buy $1000 in Century Aluminum stock. I’m also a big fan of Cheniere Energy lately. Solid dividends and a $3-$4 increase in share price over the past few months. But you’re not a rich guy. See what you get when you vote dopes into office? My recommendation is to 1. Vote down the new budget and 2. Vote in some new Councilors that will cut and slash the town budget with reckless abandon. Otherwise, I see a tax lien in your future.
March 8, 2010 at 2:03 pm
where you getting your misinformation??? according to capalbo in the chariho times, the HPD got no raise this year. Tell the facts for once.
“I feel this is a zero percent raise year. I do think things will get better but this year is not a year at all for a raise,” Capalbo said, adding that the state remains in a deep recession. She then noted that other towns and Hopkinton’s police contracts have had 0 percent increases.
March 8, 2010 at 9:02 pm
The HPD did not get a raise this year, that is correct. They do get a 1% raise next year and a 2% raise the year after that. There is no indication either nationally or locally that we will be out of the Depression of 2008 by that time. Considering the huge amount of debt the State of RI is about to lay on us, it seems pretty foolish that we are planning for the good times already. In addition, the Town employees (clerical and professional-technical staff) were given raises progressively from 1% to 3% over the next three years. Are those the facts you are disputing?