I am going to toss you a few facts and figures. They come from various sources: U.S. Census Bureau, state Division of Revenue and other websites that are based on the first two. Mull them over and if you agree with them, call your precinct and at-large Greenfield town councilors and let them know how you feel about them increasing your property taxes to pay for capital expense items such a new senior center, public safety center, library, etc. Note that I am not saying we don’t need these items — we just don’t need them as proposed nor all together.
The average property tax bill for Greenfield in 2015 was $3,930. Average per capita income was $27,267. Back pocket cost to pay your average property tax bill was 14.41 percent of your income. (Average Tax divided by Per Capita Income equals Back Pocket Percent.) Using this method shows that Northampton pays an average tax $4,787, has a higher per capita income of $34,464 and has a “back pocket” expense of 13.83 percent. Hadley’s average tax is $3,365 divided by income of $36,461 equals 9.23 percent. This goes on and on.
Just using the “tax rate” gives the same indication but only considers a property’s value without considering the average income. Greenfield’s residents pay high property taxes compared to other municipalities but have a lower income. Poorer people paying higher taxes!
Now consider that Greenfield’s population of 17,536 has an over 65 senior population of 2,879 (16 percent). Greenfield residents under the federal poverty level equate to 15 percent. Granted that some may be in both groups, you still have about one-quarter of Greenfield’s population living on low or fixed incomes paying high property taxes.
Take the proposed senior center as an example. Do we really need a $5 million-plus building to support something the average resident will very seldom or never use? I talked to one councilor and was told that 1,200 people used the senior center annually. My asking around indicated some of the people went once or twice a year. One needs to look at the total daily usage, the frequency of individual use, how many non-residents use the facilities, etc. before finalizing a projected need. A real economic analysis that includes intangibles, not a “back of the envelop” study. I’m a senior citizen and have no interest in a senior center. That doesn’t mean I don’t think there should be a place for others to go. Just don’t be wasteful with my money.
Send an email to the council at towncouncil@greenfield-ma.gov telling them how you feel.
Or call them at the numbers below: Verne Sund, Precinct 1, 413-325-6501; John Lobik, Precinct, 774-2503; Brickett Allis, Precinct, 773-8875; Wanda Muzyka-Pyfrom, Precinct 4, 774-6978; Robert Wainstein, Precinct 5, 413-522-9315; Maria Burge, Precinct 6, 413-475-3417; William Childs, Precinct 7, 413-247-9269; Ashley Stemple, Precinct 8, 413-475-3309; David Leonovich, Precinct 9, 201-563-1677. At-Large Councilors: Karen Renaud 413-475-3033; Issac Mass 413-768-8500; Penny Ricketts 413-636-4915; Mark Maloni 413-222-9323.
Make the call and tell the councilor what’s on your mind. They work for you but you have to let them know how you feel.
Ed Fleming lives in Greenfield.