Common Sense For New Hampshire

As a Belmar resident and property tax payer I strongly urge you to reject Belmar’s application for a waiver on the down payment on the $7 million bond it is about to pass.

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This debt is being created over the objection of a significant portion of the public here in Belmar.  The administration even went so far as to thwart a correctly performed and legally binding referendum petition by withdrawing the original bond and creating a new one.  As is their style, this new bond is being rushed through the process, with the administration even tailoring the dates of our borough council meetings to suit their agenda.

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I went to yesterday evening’s borough council meeting, which was originally supposed to be held April 15.  At it we were told that there would be no meeting and to come back next Tuesday.  As I was leaving people were still coming, expecting a meeting.

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I think this is very disrespectful to the people.

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There is a reason why down payments are required.  It is to make sure the borrowing is done responsibly.  If a borrower can’t even make the down payment, maybe they’re borrowing too much.  What’s more, we learned yesterday that auditors are recommending cutting $523,000 from our FEMA reimbursement because of problems with the claim.  Now we are likely to have to pay that out of our property taxes.

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More than a few of us are growing a little weary of hearing about “emergency” waivers on the rules that are in place to protect the taxpayers.  I ask that you and the other participants in this morning’s meeting require Belmar to follow the rules.

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Thank you.