Proposed Fair Haven tax increase too high

The Fair Haven Borough Council must not accept the 2002 municipal budget introduced Feb. 11. If it does, it will unnecessarily increase our already high tax burden.

The proposed budget underestimates potential revenue and overestimates potential cost. The net result is that the municipal tax rate will increase by five times more than it should.

The municipal tax rate is projected to increase almost 8 percent, more than four times the inflation rate. This tax rate increase would be the largest in all of our surrounding towns. Other towns have managed to keep their increases much lower. Our Borough Council must do better. Fair Haven taxpayers deserve better.

Deficiencies in the 2002 municipal budget:

No three-year capital improvement budget as required by the state. The budget states that one is provided, but it is not.

Underestimates potential revenue by over $105,000.

Overestimates potential cost by over $130,000.

Overstates the compensated absence liability.

The tax rate increase should be 1 cent, not 5 cents.

We have a chance to express our concerns. The public comment meeting on the budget is scheduled for March 25 at 8 p.m. in Borough Hall. Come and be heard.

Peter Kusulas

Fair Haven