I am writing to request that the Select Board roll back its decision to implement the residential tax exemption (RTE). This action by the Select Board lacked research, prudence, and good judgment, and resulted in a significant tax impact without the input or vote from the citizens of Concord. Frankly, the Select Board has opened itself to an accusation of dereliction of duty when just five people made such a major and consequential decision without the full consideration and consultation of its entire electorate.
The implementation of RTE has caused material hardship for many townspeople by shifting the tax burden solely based on the misguided and inaccurate assumption by the Select Board that a house with a higher assessed value equals excess disposable income that can be used to subsidize other citizens in town. The RTE has real-world negative impacts on my family and many others and furthermore creates two classes of town citizens instead of one coordinated and cohesive community.
You have a responsibility to your constituents — all tax-paying constituents — to hit pause on this initiative, conduct an extensive and thoughtful study on the pros and cons of implementing the RTE in Concord, and call for a vote from all tax-paying constituents, not just your contemporaries and beneficiaries of this tax break.
The Select Board’s poorly thought out action to implement the RTE will undoubtedly cause animosity and rifts in our town, impact charitable giving, force current members of the community to leave this town, and make Concord unattractive to future newcomers. I urge the Select Board to take stock, do some critical thinking, and roll back this regressive tax and instead focus on revenue growth opportunities that benefit all members of our community.
Jennie Garofalo
Coolidge Road
