We must sacrifice in order for taxes to not drive us out of Concord. I am struggling with the long-term viability of living in Concord given the last two years of special votes and unprecedented tax increases, but nothing has given me more hope than the direction to keep the budget within a 3% increase. I thought for the first time since living here that there is a possibility we could stay and the town was aligning its values with the values each resident must also have, to live within means and budget accordingly.
Of course, I was disheartened to see the potential library closure on Sundays, especially as a mother of a 1-year-old; however, when I read that headline I knew it was a sacrifice my family must make in order to limit spending. Unfortunate, yes. Necessary, yes.
Concord has been living outside of its means and not budgeting responsibly for many years (while simultaneously enacting tax measures that corrode our trust in the town’s fiscal future), so if the current residents want to feel comforted that we will not be driven away with continued tax increases, we must get comfortable with sacrifice and acknowledge it’s for the greater good of this community’s long term viability. Savings should be celebrated.
Alexandra Kjaer
Hosmer Road
