Correction: Pomfret Tax Increases

Recently, I submitted a letter to the Woodstock Villager that described a number of issues with the Pomfret budget process and recommendations for solutions.

In the letter, I incorrectly stated that Pomfret property taxes have increased by more than 10% per year on average over the past five years. That would mean a five-year average of almost 50%, and that is clearly incorrect and even too much for our Town’s tax-and-spend leadership, who complained about my statement.

The correction is that, over the last 5 years, the compound average of our property tax increases is over 10%. 

All the other statements remain true and are more relevant than ever;

• The new “affordable housing” laws are a threat to our open space and property values and are likely to drive up property taxes long term if Pomfret is forced to build infrastructure,

• Taxes increases for open land, are hiding in plain sight, only recently temporarily abated by Lamont as an election year gimmick,

• The over 1400 unfunded State mandates are crushing Town budgets, 

• The primary education funding mechanism ECS (Education Cost Sharing) formula, has been frozen in time.  While every cost has increased, towns are forced to pay the difference, and

• Connecticut is poised to move ahead as one of the most expensive states in the nation.

We welcome and encourage more taxpayer engagement and participation to demand a better way forward. The alternative is another year of more spending and increased taxes.

Martha Emilio – Pomfret Republican Town Committee - PomfretGOP.com