Lawrence residents are still waiting for their tax bills.
During the Lawrence City Council meeting of April 4, 2006, they
announced that Mayor Michael J. Sullivan had received a letter on
March 31, from the Department of Revenue refusing to approve the
tax rate as submitted by the city. DOR stated that it cannot
reasonably anticipate the necessary revenues to balance the FY2006
Operating Budget by June 30, 2006.
The three items of concern are the assignment of the City’s
Delinquent Tax Lien Portfolio ($3,528,000); potential revenue
shortfalls in the Sewer Enterprise Fund ($1,914,558); and, the
sale of city property which could exceed $500,000.
The State concluded that Lawrence cannot reasonably be anticipated
to complete these transactions by June 30, 2006, and suggests that
the city adopts alternative strategies to address these FY2006
budgetary issues.
The city’s taxpayers are overburdened with property values going
up – hence higher tax bills. We cannot afford any more increases.
The time has come for Mayor Sullivan and the City Council to take
a very strong stand and operate this city like any private
industry would in a similar situation. The answer is in reducing
expenses and laying off personnel.
If they don’t know how to do it, they can ask Mayor James J.
Fiorentini and the Haverhill City Council.
Cartas al Editor | Letters to the
Editor
RUMBO 315 Mt. Vernon Street, Lawrence MA 01843
Email: rumbo@rumbonews.com
Las cartas deben tener menos de 300 palabras de largo. Favor de
incluir un número de teléfono o dirección electrónico para
confirmar quién la envía.
Letters must be less than 300 words in length. Please send a
telephone number or email address by which we may confirm the
sender.
|
