The current all-Democrat and the previous Republican majority councils in Groton have given us tax increases, sizable when added together. Our new town manager, who takes direction from the council, proposed a 6.5 percent increase last budget. This in the face of a revenue problem in Groton. We have no spending problem. This year, there was a miniscule difference in the final RTM-council numbers on a $129,000,000 combined education and operations budget. 

The council and the RTM are incapable of restoring prudence to the budget. Why? The town manager must balance his departments’ desires against those of the taxpayers, and we often lose. Secondly, the council, and the RTM, have many competing pet interests. Some want everything for education, some prefer public safety, our second biggest and impossible to control cost center. Emotion too often drives our decisions. It is easier to say “yes” than “no,” even in the face of obvious numbers proving otherwise. 

As a retired couple, my wife and I want to remain living here, so the budget is my primary, though not exclusive concern. I prefer an RTM, but I must put my faith in a referendum on the budget by the voters. 

Bruce A. McDermott

RTM District 6

Mystic