Thomas A. DeRiemer
11 Wiswall Circle, Wellesley, MA 02482 781-235-9335 tderiemer@msn.com
September 1, 2007
Dear absentee/second home owner of property located in the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts
Subject: Property taxation without representation:
The Town of Barnstable has found a way to unfairly transfer its operating costs to those of us who are non-resident owners. The new way is in addition to the tax on personal property that non-resident taxpayers do not pay. As of July, 2007, 15,438 properties had qualified for exemptions. More than 7,000 properties are taxed at 100% of their assessed value.
*Resident owners are granted a 20% residential assessment exemption. In 2007, this represents $1.6 billion in values shifted to non-residing owners. For the town-wide average, a Barnstable property, assessed at $540,485, the tax savings is significant. Using the example of a C-O-MM water district property, a resident’s Town + District tax rate is $6.43 per $1,000 of value (Tax levy is $3,474). The non-resident rate is $7.66 (Tax levy $4,140) – a difference of $666.
Typically, the non-resident taxpayer has no children in Barnstable schools, places minimum wear on roads and drains, recreation and social services. They should be taxed less, rather than more, than a full service year-round resident. IT’S NOT FAIR! The non-resident does not vote, it’s taxation without representation.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Barnstable's Unfair Abatements and Taxation
Thomas A. DeRiemer
11 Wiswall Circle, Wellesley, MA 02482 508-428-9335 tderiemer@msn.com
August 2, 2007
Dear Fellow Non-Resident Property Owner within the Town of Barnstable, MA:
Re: UNFAIR PROPERTY TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
It has come to my attention that we, as second property owners within the Town of Barnstable, during the past year, have been taxed at a higher rate than resident/voters of the Town.
There are 7,000+ non-resident Barnstable taxpayers and 15,540 resident/voters of the Town. How it works (to simplify the process) is that the Town Assessor deducts $105,000 from the assessed value of each resident’s property. This creates a different levy for residents and non-residents. The levying of this different rate upon non-residents creates an average tax penalty of $666 for the current year.
Because we reside less than full time within Barnstable, we do not have children in the schools and receive fewer benefits from our taxes for good roads and social services. The result is we are disproportionately taxed without the benefit of voter representation. We pay the same permit fees for beach and refuse disposal permits. The Town has it wrong. We should be getting the benefit if there is to be a differential formula!
I solicit your support.
11 Wiswall Circle, Wellesley, MA 02482 508-428-9335 tderiemer@msn.com
August 2, 2007
Dear Fellow Non-Resident Property Owner within the Town of Barnstable, MA:
Re: UNFAIR PROPERTY TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
It has come to my attention that we, as second property owners within the Town of Barnstable, during the past year, have been taxed at a higher rate than resident/voters of the Town.
There are 7,000+ non-resident Barnstable taxpayers and 15,540 resident/voters of the Town. How it works (to simplify the process) is that the Town Assessor deducts $105,000 from the assessed value of each resident’s property. This creates a different levy for residents and non-residents. The levying of this different rate upon non-residents creates an average tax penalty of $666 for the current year.
Because we reside less than full time within Barnstable, we do not have children in the schools and receive fewer benefits from our taxes for good roads and social services. The result is we are disproportionately taxed without the benefit of voter representation. We pay the same permit fees for beach and refuse disposal permits. The Town has it wrong. We should be getting the benefit if there is to be a differential formula!
I solicit your support.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Barnstble, MA Assesses Unfairly
Barnstable non-resident/non-voting taxpayers are being unfairly taxed due to a $105,000 assessment reduction granted to full time residents. This amounts to an average $650 tax penalty levied on the 7,000+ non-residents. Some 15,540 residents are benefiting.
For the non-voting/non-resident owners this is clearly TAXATION WIHTOUT REPRESENTATION – a notion long ago abused. Nonetheless, the Barnstable Town Council voted it in a year ago. In November, unless Council members hear loud opposition, they could renew the program for another year.
Please tell the Council we care about equity – You can show your objections by mailing the stub below to:
Thomas DeRiemer
11 Wiswall Circle, Wellesley, MAS 02482
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Comments: _______________________________________________________________
Printed name: ___________________ Signature: ____________________ Date: _____
Barnstable property address: ____________________________________ Zip: ______
Mailing address: ______________________________________________ Zip: ______
Email address: ______________________________
For the non-voting/non-resident owners this is clearly TAXATION WIHTOUT REPRESENTATION – a notion long ago abused. Nonetheless, the Barnstable Town Council voted it in a year ago. In November, unless Council members hear loud opposition, they could renew the program for another year.
Please tell the Council we care about equity – You can show your objections by mailing the stub below to:
Thomas DeRiemer
11 Wiswall Circle, Wellesley, MAS 02482
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Comments: _______________________________________________________________
Printed name: ___________________ Signature: ____________________ Date: _____
Barnstable property address: ____________________________________ Zip: ______
Mailing address: ______________________________________________ Zip: ______
Email address: ______________________________
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