HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-8-11
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Non-voting Taxpayers 1st. Annual Summer Forum
Aug.ll,1990
Due to the large number of non-voters in attendence, the meeting was moved from
the large instructional room, to the school auditorium. Looking out on a most
gratifying, perhaps 450 attendees, Peter called the meeting to order at 9:45
A.M. Peter then introduced the panel onstage, which included all of the
selectmen, and Lee Bourgoin, and presented a background on each guest. Each
selectman was asked to answer three fQrmal questions, and was given two minutes
to respond to each question. The three' questions were:
1. How much growth is appropiate for Nantucket, and how can it
be controlled?
2. How can we assure the quality of our drinking water in 1995?
3. Is Nantucket's tax structure fair to all constituants
particularly the elderly, and non-voters?
Each of the selectmen presented their views on each of these formal questions.
Following the formal part of the program, the meeting was opened for questions
from the floor. It was very apparent that the general feeling of attendees was
that the present tax structure was unfair. It seemed that there was no
objection to tax abatement for the elderly, however the disparity of property
taxes, along with no authority on how those tax dollars are spent, was of
specific conscern for attendees.
Each selectmen committed themselves to the non-voters that they would seek a
method which would allow non-voters an opportunity to participate in town
financial decisions. Question and comments from the floor were varied, and most
dealt with a sincere desire to protect and maintain a special quality of
life.
Peter then thanked the guests and attendees for their support and enthusiasm,
and adjourned the meeting at 11:15 A.M. Throughout the existence of the non-
voter committee, there was a question of did we really represent a constituancy
of non residents of Nantucket, and the number of people in attendence declared
a definite support for our work.
participants were then invited to tour the new high school facility.
Respectfully submitted,
Phillip R. Chomo
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