To the Editor:

To the residents and voters in Westerlo: Do you want a property-tax increase?

Vote on Sept. 1 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the school in Westerlo (now the town hall) on Route 401 to prevent a $2.75 million bond from passing. Delaware Engineering, which set forth the proposal, is sending out a flyer in support of the project. Please let us share the date of the vote.

Vote no.  What it is for: $2.75 million borrowed to renovate the school (now Town Hall) and rebuild the garage at Westerlo to be paid for by the taxpayers of Westerlo for an average increase of $100 per year.

This is deceiving, as it does not account for any of the exemptions. So, in reality, the cost will be more per household. Much more. Right now, it will be about $100 per $1,400 currently paid in property taxes. This is per parcel. So, if you own extra land, you will pay on that as well.  But this is before they account for the exemptions.

The Westerlo website tells of only the renovation. There is no mention of how it will be funded. It is to be funded by all property taxpayers in the town of Westerlo.

Please spread the word and get out the vote!

There will be no absentee voting. You must vote in person. 

Mimi Dygert

Westerlo