A frustrated Groton taxpayer speaks out The Day 02/26/2012

After witnessing Groton Town and City Council meetings, one grows extremely tired and nervous watching individuals influencing them to spend more taxpayer money on unnecessary projects. The most recent is the request for funding a “feasibility study,” at the cost of $75,000, to determine if the town needs a $20 million community center and pool. The entire United States is failing financially and eventually it will come down to local municipalities losing federal and state funds. Imagine what that will do to the taxpayers?

Some examples of Groton’s recent and continual exorbitant spending include the $6.5 million for repaving one mile of Thames Street, $10.5 million for repairs to the “self-supporting” city utility and more work on Thames Street. Voters also approved bonding for an extravagant dog pound, an unbelievably extravagant senior center, recreation programs for not only Groton residents but all the surrounding towns, which run at a loss. The town spends $1.2 million to run a golf course, which if owned by private concerns would produce tax revenue, not expense.

The biggest expense of all is running two governments, at a budget cost of $16 million. The infrastructure of Groton was neglected so long that now, at one of the worst financial times in history, Groton wants to correct everything at the citizen’s expense and when those citizens are hurting the most. Pfizer continues to cut back and most likely will be gone in the future. A federal base closure process could again target the submarine base in Groton. Real estate values have dropped more than 8 percent in this region and businesses continue to close and layoff personnel, adding to unemployment.

The Groton tax assessor is way off on his property assessments, keeping them as high as possible to benefit the town, not the owners. Department heads are overpaid.
There is no money in anyone’s pockets to support constant spending for unnecessary projects. Now work on the 2012-13 fiscal year begins.The Representative Town Meeting, the town and city councils, and all tax-revenue dependent departments have got to stop spending more money.

Citizens of Groton, you need to be heard. Stand up for your rights and tell the leaders to stop spending.

by Peter Weissgarber, who lives in Groton.