Dear Editor:

Bond Question One, Repair and Upgrade K – 8 buildings. This bond issue would borrow up to $28.8 million dollars. Much of this is the result of deferred upgrades or repairs. The fix cannot be kicked down the road further. No matter what the final decision is regarding the high school, I believe we want and need the elementary and middle school to be improved and to stay here. We do not want to be a town without a school. There are several well thought out housing initiatives under way, I am very optimistic about the region and future population trends.

You may have heard statements claiming that real estate taxes will double, triple, or worse. Those statements are at best misinformed, or at worst, misleading. A Yes vote on Question One will increase real estate taxes assessed by Boothbay Harbor by .98 mil or 10.9%. Boothbay residents’ real estate taxes would increase by 1.21 mil or 13%. Real estate taxes will not double or triple.

The mil rate will be reduced by fund raising and the structured repayment of the bonds. In other words, the mil rate impact will decrease over the life of the loan, that is a fact. The impact will never be greater than .98 mil (Boothbay Harbor) and 1.21 mil (Boothbay).

Claims that real estate taxes will double or triple include a hypothetical increase in operating expenses. We are not voting on operating expenses. The election is only for the renovation and expansion of K-8 infrastructure. School operating budgets are subject to annual review by referendum. All taxpayers concerned about operating expenses and issues can address those concerns each year. Repeat: we are only voting on funds to renovate and improve K-8, we are not voting to increase operating budgets.

I could analyze Bond Question Two, however, there are more questions to be answered before the money is voted on. What is the organizational structure, public or private, location, etc. Whatever the choice, the solution will likely be as expensive as the current Bond Question Two.

Finally, I am a member of the Boothbay Harbor Selectboard. The above is acknowledged as my personal thoughts and opinions and not related to the Boothbay Harbor Selectboard.

Ken Rayle

Boothbay Harbor