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Board backs tax rebellion: Winchester
group seeks funding shifts
(4/8/04)
By Erika Cohen for SentinelSource
WINCHESTER — Selectmen listened politely, discussed calmly and voted
without rancor Wednesday to support the Winchester Tax Rebellion.
While the tone of the one-hour meeting was a marked change from the past
year, the tone of the tax group hasn’t wavered. It wants to change the
state’s system of funding education through local property taxes.
“Despite the years of effort of other tax rebellion organizations, we
have come further than any of them,” John Frado Jr. said, referring
partially to the March meeting with state officials that attracted more
than 200 residents. “This town needs to be seen as a town that has
leadership on important issues.
The Winchester Tax Rebellion was started last fall by John and Chris
Frado in response to a townwide revaluation that nearly tripled some tax
bills.
Selectman Thomas J. Magee agreed with Frado, but said the place to be
heard is the ballot box.
“It is time for a revolution, but we have no one to blame but
ourselves,” Magee said. “We vote (the politicians) into office. ... If
they’re not listening, don’t vote them back into office.”
Historically, Magee’s comments have weight. In 2002, Winchester
supported Craig R. Benson’s bid for governor over income-tax advocate
Mark Fernald, 541-503.
The board voted 4-1 to support the goals of the rebellion group. Kenneth
S. Berthiaume, Magee, Chairman Brian D. Moser and Gustave A. Ruth voted
to support the group’s goals. Susan M. Newell voted no.
The group has five goals:
** Full state funding for education.
u Full federal funding of federally mandated programs.
** Property taxes funding only the development of the local economy, and
county and town services.
** Advocate for increases in elderly, disabled and veteran exemptions.
** Support fair and equitable property assessments.
“I see (these goals) not resolving the problem,” Newell said. “These
goals attempt to shift the burden to someone, anyone, who doesn’t pay
now. ... I’d rather we support our schools locally without the federal
and state mandates which are costing us and not allowing us to educate
our students.”
Mel Perkins, one of 15 people in the audience, said the goal of full
federal funding of federal mandates seems very ambitious.
Frado agreed, but said that after 300 years, it’s time for another
rebellion, “time to fight.”
And the group is taking its rebellion on the road — beyond the tour of
Winchester given to state officials in March. Frado said the group is
planning a protest march in Concord on Saturday, May 22, from noon to 3
p.m.
Perkins also had another comment, this one for the selectmen.
“I would like to compliment the board on the businesslike and efficient
manner the meetings have been conducted (recently),” he said, prompting
the audience to clap in agreement.
Residents previously complained that selectmen were out of touch with
residents and did not listen to them. Following the March 9 vote, the
board elected Moser as chairman, former chairman William M. Kelly
resigned and Newell joined the board.
Town manager update
Selectmen are waiting for bids from three agencies that would help
Winchester find a permanent town manager. One of them is the N.H.
Municipal Association.
Interim Town Manager James E. Harrison said he could not name the other
two agencies because no decision has been made.
Harrison said selectmen hope to choose an agency as soon as all three
bids are in. He said the town hopes to have a new town manager in office
by July 1, if not sooner.
Former manager Manger Anthony F. Simon resigned in January after six
months on the job. When he asked a month later to rescind his
resignation, the selectmen rejected his request.
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