To the editor:
As an avid walker around my neighborhood and town, I encounter older neighbors who share their struggles to remain in the homes and communities they love. With the increasing cost of fuel, health care, food and utilities, there is only so much these senior citizens can absorb on fixed incomes. I sometimes feel helpless to do more than listen, sympathize and worry for them.
So, when I heard about the proposed Senior Tax Deferral program, I was intrigued. In an era of surging property values in the Berkshires, these modest homes are now incurring large tax bills at a time when seniors’ income is declining. As I learned about the program, I realized it was a chance to do more than worry–this simple law was designed to help these cherished residents–and, remarkably, at no cost to our Town.
We don’t often have the means to help others without creating a simultaneous cost somewhere else. But this proven program is just that rare opportunity to address a need and have everyone come out ahead. Sometimes a solution is elegantly simple, and I am eager to see Great Barrington adopt this one at Town Meeting.
Marie Blauvelt
Great Barrington
