To the editor:
Who is with me when I say that Swampscott is a very expensive place to live? Why, then, would it make any sense to support Question 6 to become a Community Preservation Act Community, and add a 1.5% surcharge to our residential tax bills?
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Our high property tax bills are the result of dramatic increases to home assessment values precipitated by low housing supply (fun fact: our current property tax rate is the lowest it’s been in 2 decades). Low housing supply also contributes to our skyrocketing rents and mortgages.
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The good news is that adopting the CPA will NOT negatively affect our most financially stretched homeowners. For example, a single resident over age 60 with an annual income below $104,510 or a household of 4 under age 60 with an annual income below $119,440 will be completely exempt from the CPA surcharge.
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Opting into the CPA can’t stop the rising costs of living in Swampscott and surrounding towns, but it can create more opportunities for households to be able to afford to stay or move here. It could potentially be used for things like first time home buyer assistance and rental assistance.
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Becoming a CPA Community can also significantly increase the financial resources available for Swampscott to develop the outdoor recreation/open space projects we will be paying for one way or another – e.g. coastline preservation, the Rail Trail, Hawthorne property, and Archer Street parcels. As a result, these projects could be completed (and enjoyed!) more quickly, without the town taking on any more undue financial burdens.
I would go on, but… word counts. I am excited for what we can do with the additional MILLIONS of dollars to preserve our open space and support housing affordability in our wonderful town. Please join me in Voting Yes to 6!
Katie Day
Swampscott Resident and Town Meeting Member
