Interesting Info for the masses:
ROBERTA FRASER DOESN”T LIKE TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES
If you go to the Winchester Informer Homepage and at the very bottom of the page link to NH Deeds then to Cheshire County. Once in the Cheshire County Registry of Deeds website do a property search (Search County Records) accept agreement and a new screen pops up. Type in a last name, a town if you wish and then you have records. Click on the record you want to view and a screen will pop up.
For instance I did this for Fraser in Winchester and checked on Roberta:
Roberta Fraser a Selectmen residing at 324 Manning Hill Rd
There were 5 entries for tax levies for Roberta and they are as follows:
2003 taxes due $6,871.28 tax levy filed on 4/1/04
2005 taxes due $6,934.61 tax levy filed on 5/15/06
2006 taxes due $7,459.37 tax levy filed on 4/13/07
2007 taxes due $7,323.45 tax levy filed on 4/11/08
2008 taxes due $7,648.58 tax levy filed on 4/16/09
Folks - year after year she doesn't pay her taxes -
How can someone so irresponsible year after year be allowed to handle important matters and make financial decisions for people in this town when it’s obvious that there is no sense to the cost of the taxpayers as she thumbs her nose at their expense. ROBERTA FRASER how do you justify to the town’s people that year after year you do not pay your taxes? When people like you don’t pay their taxes it costs struggling people more because they have to pick up the slack because when the town has to borrow money we have to pay for that loan. I’ve heard the selectmen and others complain that the lies are coming from a few unhappy people and that we should trust what the higher ups have to say because they have our best at heart and will be forthcoming with truth and honesty and integrity. Does anyone really believe any of them anymore? We’ll keep digging and it’s obvious that as we do these elected and appointed officials will be shown to have less integrity than we even thought possible.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Disturbing Public Information
This information was posted in another blog subject and verified. This is pretty disturbing and raises several questions. Isn't there a town rule or state law prohibiting candidates to run if they owe back taxes? If Ms. Fraser is having such a hard time paying her property taxes on time, why did she vote against a proposed warrant article at last year Deliberative Session intended to help disabled taxpayers receive a measly $750.00 tax credit as mandated by the State of New Hampshire; yet not allowed by the BOS in Winchester? Doesn't seem right she wouldn't want to help others in the same predicament as herself. So much for serving the people of Winchester.
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101 comments:
If the tax liens from 2003, 2004, 2005 have not been satisfied against Ms. Frazer why has the town not taken/auctioned her property for back taxes? That is what happens in other towns. Also, at 18% interest there is a sizable chunk of change due the town. Thank you for sharing this information.
September 12, 2009 7:01 AM
This comment was moved to the proper subject
It appears she is keeping just ahead of the game by paying her back taxes just prior to the town owning the property.
This information is public because it was found on a public website.
I'm sure BOB GRAY will be happy to set the record straight as he recently stated publicly that the employees of Winchester need to do their jobs with integrity, and fulfill our fiduciary responsibilities to the people in this Town. If a concerned citizen has a question, they need to come to the Town Hall for the answers.
Paying taxes on time year after year may not fall under fiduciary responsibilities but it sure does question Roberta Fraser's integrity and just might cause a conflict of interest in some decision making at it pertains to the town and it's citizen's.
What a wonderful platform to run on to get the vote.
How many people who voted for her new she hadn't been paying her property taxes like the rest of us?
And to think these people pomp around town like they are better than anyone else.
I believe that employees would include himself and members of the government unless of course they truly believe that we are the employees.
Some Right To Information forms filled out and the request properly completed by the towns employees should be helpful in sorting out some of the truths lies.
So how about it Bob, is this true or was this information sent to the Cheshire County NH Deeds in error?
This comment was moved to the proper subject
Does this mean that we're starting to expose the double standards? Does this mean they can't fire someone for telling the truth for a change? No wonder why they are firing the honest people in town maybe they really do have some stories to tell? We'll be listening and watching.
This is pathetic and a disgrace
After some discussion we agree this doesn’t surprise some of us. It’s as irresponsible as the idea of the Town and Roberta proudly inviting us to a fireworks display on September 11,2009 as posted on the towns website. A day when flags fly at half mast for those lost. One of our modern day tragedies and one of the most somber days of the year in the minds of many who still see and hear the horror of that day and the town invites all to a fireworks display? Proof that the people running the town only think of themselves. Let's have fireworks for Veteran's Day and Memorial Day too right after the parades.
The bottom line is, do you want someone who cant handle there money handling yours?
If I'm not mistaken wasn't it Ms. Frazer that was questioning the credibility of the Informer a while back?
I'd say is this for real but sadly it is. I no that for a fact because I was able to check myself. No doubt something that would not have been turned over willingly or we would have known about this already.What is she having hard times or something?
The town of Warren, NH had the same problem with one of their selectmen and the Manchester Union Leader wrote a long article about it.
July 9, 2009 Read it for yor self.
{He won't quit over back taxes
Publication: New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
Page Number: 01
By PAULA TRACY
New Hampshire Union Leader
WARREN -- Although his unpaid tax bills stretch back six years, Selectmen Chairman Michael Clark said he has no intention of stepping down from the board. Some $25,000.00
Clark, whose responsibilities include the power to decide whether the town should seize properties for nonpayment of taxes, said his own nonpayment was the product of "poor decisions, not dishonesty."}
At the time the selectmen was very adamant about not allowing Roberta Fraser the next highest vote getter who9 ran for selectmen to fill the vacancy of Gerry the post master left town, because of her unpaid property taxes. Rumors has it, a deal was made with Roberta and the selectmen over the taxes. How else can it be explained why Roberta turned her back on the people who trusted, supported, believed and voted for her to become one of them. I say "one of them" (the selectmen)who work for themselves and who insist on taxing us into a state of oblivion.
Wow, now attacking personally. I am human, just like anyone else, whose husband has lost jobs, etc. Do you think I like the situation and enjoy paying the 18% interest rate? I have never claimed to be any better than anyone else. There are no "special deals" or anything else going on. I am treated just like everyone else, as I should be. But I am certainly not the first official to ever owe back taxes. My situation does not mean I cannot make financial decisions for the town, it means I, like everyone else, cannot afford my taxes. Also, I did not intentionally pick 9-11 for the fireworks, it was an oversight that was too late to change and I apologize if it offended anyone. Not that I even need to explain, but I currently owe 2007 & 2008 taxes, 2009 is now in escrow and I am paying $1000.00 a month on the arrears for the other two years.
No symptahy for the attempted coverup - no sympathy for someone who has made it difficult or impossible for other families to take care of their repsonsibilties. If you can't afford where you live - down size.
Roberta - you gotta be kidding - you want sympathy when this has been going on for years and years.Step down now because the mere fact that you state you aren't the first official to not pay their taxes on time shows you don't get it. You just don't get it! Because someone else did something wrong before you you think it makes it OK for you to do the same thing? How can you judge the integrity of others? No you should have just been honest with the people who believed you had their interest at heart. This is why we need this blog. And today you are down at the Pickle Fest trying to say that what is on this blog isn't true. Don't take it as a personal attack, it's just some of the voters trying to find out what's been hidden from us. We let it happen but we're trying to correct the problems.
Come on people...enough of the personal attacks. If I recall, it was Roberta Fraser that actually took it upon herself to help continue the Pickle Festival DESPITE the lack of financial support the town has given her. She has worked very hard to build community and make Winchester stand out on the map. This blog is productive in many ways but let's be realistic---we have ALL had financial problems at one time or another . There are many, many people in this town who have had to refinance or fall behind on taxes because unfortunately, the Town of Winchester is becoming a town that frequently increase the property taxes. The taxes in this town are unbelievable and making it hard for many of us to make ends meet. Attacking her for late bills is a slap---by naming names, you are not only attacking her but hundreds of other property owners. Be nice and keep this civil---there are bigger fish to fry! This is why spending our taxes dollars foolishly must come to an end! Be constructive instead of malicious.
Roberta, I commend you for coming forward and explaining your situation. I imagine that was not an easy thing to do. Many people in todays economy are in a similar place, or on the brink of it. Yes, Winchester's taxes are outrageous compared to many other communities in and out of State. That fact needs to be seriously addressed wherever and whatever the Town and voters can do to make it better.
Thank you for coming forward, and doing what you do.......today, was a good Winchester day at Pickle Festival in spite of the rain.
If I understand this correctly Ms. Frazer and her husband are being allowed to make monthly payments on tax liens that are 3 years overdue. I do hope that others in this town are being afforded the same. As far as I know the state requires selling the property at tax sale so that the town receives its money in a timely fashion. Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks for the help.
Yes Roberta it was good of you to tell us your story. It's too bad that we had to find out through this blog.
By uour response it also tells us that Bob Gray and the selectmen are reading this blog and that maybe what is on is this blog true after all.
Certainly it lends credibility to the feature stories.
It also tells us the voters and taxpayers bthat if this stuff is going on and they are in the know about they can't keep saying NO ONE TOLD THEM.
Last one came through as anonymous, it was me
I am not covering up anything. Why would I do that and how would that ever be possible? But does everyone who owes taxes, etc. tell everyone? What would be the reason for that? It is not something I am happy about. I am not saying it is right to owe taxes, just sometimes things happen. I do not owe three years, I am making payments on my own, as it is easier for me to catch up that way. Anyone at all can make payments on their taxes at any time. You do not have to wait for the tax bill. To all the Anonymous that seem to hate me so much, what have I ever done to you? I do not have to like this blog or agree with everything on it and I usually just mind my own business because everyone has a right to their opinion. But when it is targeted at me personally, I would like to understand the cause of it. This is now not just about me as a selectperson, this is about my family and that is not fair. Mr. Towne, I would ask you to please remove the original post. If you feel it is necessary to inform people of my liens, keep it at that. But for my family's sake,and I have three children, please remove the meanness that goes with the post. I don't know what you are hoping to accomplish with the information at all. If the haters want me to resign, what have I done?
Well you have to give Ms, Frazer credit for standing up with a reply. I just can 't understand why someone that knows first hand how hard it is to pay the Winchester taxes doesn't seem to think we should be getting more for our money with many of our town employees.Things are changing, not fast enough, and i think the budget comm. has a chance to make a big difference this year.So Roberta I give you a lot of credit for responding, but so far your votes as a selectman haven't done anything to help the tax pain most of us pay. I don't think the Informer is going anywhere so don't waste you time calling it names, dig in and make the hard choices.
How can you blame this blog for attacking you and your family when first of all the information is public record and available to all and secondly this information was sent in by a citizen of the community who asked it to be published for all to see? I agree it's not something that one goes around town bragging about and is embarrassing when found out about; however when you decided to run for office you allowed yourself to come under the scrutiny of the people you serve. Evidently there are many in town who question how you were allowed to run for office owing back taxes, why the selectmen changed their minds about allowing you to run and many questions about your voting record with regards to spending tax dollars. I don't know who this person is you request to remove the original posters information; but if he is one of those who run this blog he is to be commended for providing us all a place to gain insight into what is going on in this town.
This website is a great service for the community and it is an important link to the truth for the town.
Whether it is to ensure accountability from the towns fathers or it is to bring to light problems or activities that may need to be discussed together as a community as to what is in the best interest, it is a vital link.
Without this website, much of what is on it today would have been heard by only a few.
Without this website, accountability would be that much harder to achieve.
Without this website many people in town would not know what is going on without their knowledge.
This website has brought people together, has started discussions, has been a driving force and a sounding board in which people can safely voice an opinion, question a policy, ask for fairness and ask for the truth.
In order to maintain this site and to keep it going because of the tremendous response and growth of the Winchester Informer, the Winchester Informer is in desperate need of donations.
These donations would be used for upgrades that are needed, such as buying more web space to store this information on and to be able to expand the information as it becomes available.
This additional space would allow for more links, pictures and sounds to be posted. It would allow for continued budget and meeting minutes links to grow so that if research needs to be done on something from 2 years ago, we have the information.
It will allow for the expansion of information and links to forms and publications when they become available.
These donations would be used to help offset the costs of running this site and in no way pays for the countless hours of time that are donated to keep this site monitored and running.
I am not the owner of the site but, I recently met with someone who explained to me in great detail just exactly what it takes to run a site like this and what this site needs to keep it going.
I was so impressed by the dedication for a forum that I felt I needed to speak on behalf of the Winchester Informer, Winchester’s Informer made for the people and by the people.
I ask everyone out there to please make a donation of any kind no matter how small or large, if at all possible to ensure that this site is able to continue to give to us a forum to get information, share information and question information.
Winchester Informer
PO Box 464
W. Swanzey, NH 03469-0464
Thank you for supporting our town.
I do hope that the selectpeople in this town understand that the voters are not going to follow blindly anymore. We are all in finacial straits and expect the people that we have elected to office to act responsibly. Kudos to the informer for making it easier to find all of the public information or telling us where to find it. Finally we may just elect individuals who have integrity and will be willing to be accountable to the town.
I seem to remember a few years ago a family moved to town a year and a half later the mother lost her job.They took it upon themselves to find ways to support their family.They did ask the town welfare for help a few times but it was very hard to do. They have kept to themselves as much as possible but we the people of this town had to bring them out in public. I don't know how this town calls them self a community, when some one needs help we should try and help not run them down. Last time I knew everyone needs help sometime in their life. I have been keeping up with these blogs and I believe it is time for us as a community to "STAND UP AND SPEAK UP" not to stay behind closed doors and hope it goes away-"SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP".
Roberta, don't take all the responsibility for the poor judgement of a fireworks display on 9/11.
We realize that there are other members responsible for the the fireworks display like the rest of the selectmen and Bob Gray who might have looked at a calender first.
In our book you are only 20% responsible if that helps any.
When it comes to having to explain yourself some people would argue that you do have to because you hold a public office.
When you hold public office the bar is higher when it comes to integrity, truth and credibility.
Sounds like you need www.cnht.org
I couldn't read this without commenting. I used "anonymous" because that seemed the easiest way to post, but this is Sue Newell, former selectman.
Roberta has done nothing wrong. Every year there are people who have trouble paying their tax bills (including some very "wealthy" people in town). Once behind, because of the 18% interest, it is nearly impossible to get caught up. Tax liens are placed when bills are two months late (March 1), if I recall correctly. I don't believe the record is automatically purged when they are satisfied.
Some of you might take the time to actually look up the laws before you post. If that lien is not satisfied within the three-year time frame, the town can then take the property -- but it is an expensive and legally complex thing to do. Isn't it better to work with people to help them avoid that three-year deadline, and to keep the property on the tax rolls?
There is no mandatory requirement for the town to take a property for taxes, and in fact, many of us who have served would do almost anything to work out a financial plan to help families get caught up, which is perfectly legal and has been done for numerous people every year. There have been times when taking a property would provide more risk to the town than the taxes were worth (contaminated sites or dilapidated buildings for instance). Once a property is taken, there is no state law requiring the town to sell it. So it could just end up being taken off the tax rolls and producing nothing, or ending up under conservation commission stewardship forever.
If you don't like the way Roberta votes, post about that. But these seem like low blows to me. There are few of us that haven't run up against hard going of one kind or another at one time or another.
Personally, I would like to see Roberta take a stand and vote against spending, even if she is in the minority. But that's my only gripe. I have no questions about her integrity and I don't believe that her personal financial situation has anything to do with her ability to oversee town spending.
Remember, none of us knows all about anyone else's personal situation, their income, their other (perhaps uninvited) expenses or financial responsibilities, etc., and to sit in judgement of another over unpaid taxes seems to me to be petty and uncalled for.
Sue Newell
P.S. Since the town went to a July-June fiscal year and started semi-annual billing through the years I was in office, it had not had to take out tax anticipation notes and taxpayers didn't pay any interest for such. It was often budgeted and spent on other things (which I was vehemently and loudly opposed to) but the voters approved all those budgets. I don't know if the situation had changed in the last couple years, but the 18% interest on back taxes is profit to the town, and is paid by many people who just make it under the wire with regard to the lien time.
The real answer is to cut spending big time, at both the school and town. Then everyone's taxes would be more affordable.
In response to Former selectman Sue Newell, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I think most would agree that sometimes people have financial difficulties and the town should step in and help take care of it's people when that happens.
I would have to disagree that this is an isolated incident when it comes to paying a tax bill or in this case not being able to.
Of course everyone has problems at times but the concern here seems to be more about the duration and frequency.
More to the point the fact that we are entrusting this person to be able to separate potential conflict of interest types of decisions from her own personal, obviously stressful, financial situation when it comes to other town matters.
But, that is why this blog is good so we can share thoughts and solve problems.
I don’t think that anyone wants someone to have their property taken from them I think that they just want to make sure that there is equal consideration for all.
Many people have had to make the tough decision to sell their property and buy something different, smaller or even to rent because of the taxes.
The decision is certainly up to the individual how they handle their finances but if you are going to be in the public eye and people have questions you can’t expect that they don’t have a right to inquire.
There’s always a cost when someone has to wait for money whether it’s the government or an individual. In the case of the government, it means costs for letters and postage and filing fees and lost manpower or perhaps the inability to take care of some town project.
Is there income by having an interest that is equal to most credit cards interest rates today? Yes there is. But that shouldn’t make it OK that the towns people have to give up in some other area just to wait for the money to come in.
I do agree that the best way out for all is figuring out how to best pay for the services needed and mandated and how best to share that expense.
Thank you Sue, very much.
To everyone else who keeps saying it I am NOT five years behind and just because a lien is placed on because a State date for lien is not met, does not mean I am not paying taxes. I am, but it doesn't seem to matter what I say. I have been very frank with everyone about my situation but it didn't matter. So, enough said from me. If anyone is truly wondering about anything, call me 239-4202. I have nothing to hide, as you can see by what I've already told you.
Mark, the selectmen have no say in who runs for office, anyone can, you just have to pay the $1.00 filing fee.
To Mr. Keenan, please get your facts straight before you call and tell everyone. I am NOT five years behind and I AM paying my taxes and the town DOES NOT have to borrow money because of me. To everyone looking up information on the registry of deeds, if you select grantee instead of grantor, you'll see tax lien releases.
And for TW- there was no need
The most important issue in this discussion is the fact that Winchester's tax rate is too high!!
These are hard times, and anyone who disputes that, is not living in the real world. Winchester, is dying on the vine, and needs people that vote to trim these budgets. Perhaps Ms.Frazer could use her experiences to help the rest of us deal with the real problem.
I am not Mr. Keenan but in defense of the people who are questioning this information I didn't see anyone say that your were 5 years behind only that you have a pattern of not being able to pay your taxes year after year and that was what was concerning.
As you yourself state you do owe for 2007, 2008 and are making payments for 2009.
I really believe it wasn't anyone's real honest intentions here to trash someone's family about something so private of an issue only a few of the towns people knew about. It was bound to happen when Roberta’s friends and supports became disappointed and frustrated with disbelief with her support of the other tax and spend selectmen. Her voting record of 5-0 is despicable. A voting record such as this on spending when someone's own personal finances were in jeopardy is just dishonest to the rest of us. When you put yourself above everyone else’s problems that are struggling, you too are bound to take some controversy. As an reformer I also took a few lumps from you at town deliberative session. Am I mad enough at you? No! I am sorry for the embrasment to your family.
I think you’re a great person, just misguided by the group of tax and spenders that run this town..
Just to let everyone know Roberta is telling the truth and the following information can be verified at the Cheshire County Deeds website.
2003 taxes due $6,871.28 tax levy filed on 4/1/04 – recorded as paid 7/10/2004.
2005 taxes due $6,934.61 tax levy filed on 5/15/06 – recorded as paid 5/10/2008.
2006 taxes due $7,459.37 tax levy filed on 4/13/07 – recorded as paid 6/15/2009.
2007 taxes due $7,323.45 tax levy filed on 4/11/08 - Not yet paid as Roberta has already stated.
2008 taxes due $7,648.58 tax levy filed on 4/16/09 - Not yet paid as Roberta has already stated.
how can we no our tax bills are fugured right with all this? some people think they are wrong.
The privledges of power afford you opportunities not known to us little guys. The police can steal and Bob Gray can bring his dog to work everyday. Can I bring my dog and cat into the town hall when I go there to do my buisness or will I get arrested by the police. These people are so far removed from us I doubt you can get a straight sentence out of anyone, let alone a straight explanation.
The last taxe seson my wife and i recived aletter from the town of Winchester stating that our taxes where in the rears by 3 months and that a lean was being put on our house...well it seems that it was a mistake at their level as they didn't send it to the bank and so it was payed but its the fact that they where putting a lean on our house. seems that if you have a different name than those that seem to run the town you will get a lean and could lose you home.There is to many double standers in this town. thanks for the time
cope
Although the blog has shared this disturbing information there are a couple of positive issues that have come from this:
1. We now know that the town is willing to make payment arrangements for its citizens who cannot pay their taxes.(If they have done it for some then they will have to do it for all.) Just remember that you will have to pay the 18% interest.
2. The selectpeople and the Chief read the blog.
3. We are coming together as a town and asking for our officials to be honest, responsible, and accountable.
4. Thank you informer for getting the information out there.
Have a great day!
To Ms. Fraser;
Though I sympathize and agree that some information does not belong on a public forum, you really can't ask us to remove or censor public information provided to this blog. To do so would ruin what little credibility we have in creating a fair sounding board for the community. You have gone out of your way time and time again to discredit information on these boards as being untrue and have commented that it is rants of a few people in town attempting to stir up trouble. Perhaps you'd like to rethink that position? That someone came forward with information embarrassing to you may not have been fair, it does make one wonder why you continue time and time again to vote for more and more spending instead of holding the line, be you in the minority or not, while all this time you have fallen deeper in deeper into debt. because of your own doing. It doesn't seem to make too much sense to everyone who takes the time to read minutes and attend meetings., I'd also like to remind you that at the last Deliberative Session, you and Mr. Parker teamed up to defeat a warrant that would have given tax relief to the disabled citizens of this town in the sum of $750.00. This was a big deal to you, why?
Was it because there are so many disabled taxpayers in town that it would have broke the bank; or was it because the warrant was submitted by someone you and others in town truly dislike because of this blog?
To Sue Newell;
We welcome your comments and are glad to see that you a feeling better. We thank you for providing valuable information about town policies and hope that you will continue to visit us in the future and continue to comment.
I’d like to say first of all thank you for supporting our right to bring forward public information and information that can be verified.
The Winchester Informer has been around for a couple of years and is not something new. What is new is that there are a lot more people reading it and a lot more people actively having their say.
The leaders need to understand that part if they ever want to understand the rest.
There is an enormous amount of wasted taxpayer money being spent right now.
Money is being spent unnecessarily, wastefully and just plain not in the best interest of the people of this town because of what is going on.
Responsible public officials would have addressed this ongoing and obviously very informative bit of information the public has been provided with long ago.
Meetings would have been held, pamphlets would have been circulated and posters would have been hung that clearly and concisely pointed out all the supposed lies and exactly the proof of why they are lies.
This isn’t a few people trying to stir up trouble – this is a very large group of people demanding answers by keeping their elected officials and the employees these officials appoint accountable to us.
A few people wouldn’t have put themselves on the line to just have an opportunity to spread lies and rumors and been able to continue this with mounting and mounting evidence that is credible and can be verified.
One or two people might have tried to spread rumors, but that isn’t what we have here and one person could not have sustained a bunch of nonsense.
There has to be truth behind the statements or there would be proof they aren’t true.
There is an awful lot of talk and effort on the part of the elected officials and appointed officials to try to suppress and stifle and discredit even this information.
Why would that be?
What are they afraid of?
Why don’t they just prove this is all lies instead of just talking about how it’s just a few unhappy people?
Stop avoiding the questions and just make your explanations so the public can decide.
If you are sick of your high tax bills plus not having your opinion heard at the upcoming budget committee meetings e-mail me your concerns at timbuctu@live.com. I will read your concerns into the record at the meetings. We have to stop this wasteful spending. This year we have a good chance to hold the line and reduce spending.
Roberta - please don't loose sleep over this subject. You are NOT alone. There are a LOT of people in town struggling to pay their taxes. The simple truth is that our economy is struggling - people are loosing their jobs, over time cut backs, consumer prices sky rocketing and most of us are just treading water.
It's apparent all over town. People abandoning their homes, putting them on the market, being foreclosed on. And as you are well aware of - the town is auctioning off homes to pay off back taxes.
Our property taxes are outrageously high and everyone is frustrated. Our Selectman are frustrating us with the casual spending and not tightening the belt. Such as spending $12,000 on a new police cruiser after we voted NO to $10,000. Things like that really rankle us! How is shutting of street lights going to help in the long run? I realize it hasn't happened, but a great deal of time was discussed on the issue. Has changing the town hours really helped save money?
What needs to be done is FIRE the water dept head. He is a joke! He has no clue what he is doing and hides out in his office, while his right hand man does all of the work. He has had how long to get a DSL license? And he can't be bothered to go retake it after failing? He doesn't need extra help. Give us a break! He just looking for someone to train him how to do his job....
Do we need all of the highway guys we have hired? Do we need three accountants? Two town clerks? Some of these positions started out as part-time with no benefits. Now they are full time and we are paying out thousands of dollars in benefits. This is just a few of the ways you could get started - personel!
Put a moritorium on new construction, unless the state is willing to help out. But STOP adding to the taxes and work hard to get it back down to something closer to $20-25. PLEASE!
With the State cutting back on funding and the County constantly adding to our taxes, we never get a break. It's past the time to tighten the belt. Work on it!
I overhead Roberta Fraser at the pickle festival this past weekend while she was speaking with Brian Jordan. She was telling Brian that the reason why they have not responded to the informer is because they don’t respond to lies. That’s a lie in itself because if they did an investigation on whether or not Nate Jette took a bike from the police department they would find after speaking with all the witnesses that there are people who have information and that would prove that is not a lie.
Interesting statement to make, so what happens in the BOS meetings and there minutes are a lie too? Or does this just go for the things they don't want to deal with?
If what anonymous overheard Ms. Frazer tell Mr. Jordan at the pickle festival is true that investigations are not done because the informer lies she needs to understand that her situation was based on public information not "lies". I think that perhaps the informer is getting much closer to the heart of the issues than the town officials want. The more people that know there are problems the harder it is to hide them. Word is spreading that this is site is based on fact.
Have a good day!
Some information had been brought to the attention of the AG's office recently regarding the police association and some alledged wrong doing.
Christine Gauntt of the Chartable Trusts - an Investigative Paralegal at the Department of Justice can be reached at 271-3591 to help verify this information.
It's been alledged that both Chris Roberts as Vice President and Gary Phillips as Acting - Treasurer have conducted business of the association in a manner against the by-laws of that association. More than a month ago they were asked to produce information that would have shown whether the allegations were true or not and as of the other day had still not responded back.
If this is true then why would that be?
Wow! You're right the word is spreading that this site has too much information right to be all wrong and nothing but lies.
If this is true Gary Phillips and Chris Roberts should be put on administrative leave until all quetions have been answered by an independant agency.
My goodness if the AG's office is looking into our police department I think that the selectpeople would put those in question on administrative leave. I do believe that they cannot continue to say that there are just "lies" out there. When the AG's office investigates there may be some credence to the allegation. Of course the AG's office is not going to waste their time or the taxpayer's money on frivolous charges.
I would think as an elected official of the town you would step up to the plate and do your job. Elections happen in March and it looks as though the town is going to have a very long memory about your incompetence.
Phillips has always said he likes controversy.
To who ever wants the selectmen to tighten our belts, Four of the selectmen voted to give the tax collector an 8% raise. With employees taking cuts to keep businesses open, an abundance of homes being foreclosed on, the governor of NH thinking of laying off over 700 workers,I don't think these four give a dam about the tax payers of this town. If that's not bad enough, many believe this should be a part time position. I hope the budget comm, has more sense then the four selectmen that backed this raise.
If "Unbelieveable" has it right, a projected 8% raise for the Tax Collector is outlandish and unacceptable in this economy. Seniors in our community and beyond will NOT even be seeing a "cost of living" increase in their Social Security in the coming year -- usually a mere pittance at that.
If it's true that there's wrongdoing going on 8% is going to be peanuts compared to the legal bills. It's gonna be 8% x ? I think the selectmen are living in their own world and don't give 2 hoots about anybody but themselves and whoever they know.
If any one of the selectmen or Bob Gray don't think something is wrong in their town they are mistaken. Just look at this blog and look at the questions and concerns on it. I have a suggestion, at the next selectmen's meeting each one of you can stand up for the record and answer these 3 question - 1) DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS IN THIS TOWN? 2.)IF YOU DO WHAT ARE THEY? 3.) IF YOU DO HOW DO YOU PROPOSE TO SOLVE SOME OF THE ISSUES? This should be done for the record so that even people who can not attend the meetings can hear what you have to say.
Does anyone out there need a job, if you can run the town clerks office with a part time tax collector you may want to think of running for the office. Apparently the people that are registering vehicles must make him think they have money to burn.
Good point there!
No increase for people who are on SS & all this waste. They vote themselves raises & spend what little money we get. When we say no to spending like we did in march they go behind our back & let them spend our money anyway. It's just not right.
After reading all of this information it seems as though the voters in the town need to change the elected officials. We need to vote people into office that believe in integrity and following the voters wishes. It sounds like a tall order but I bet there are people out there willing to take on this challenge. Don't forget we have to rein in the school budget.
How is it that they don't have to tell us why they go against what we vote for? Whats wrong with the laws? No means NO. We don't have the money and Roberta is proof of that.She of all people should no better.
It would seem that the town government would want to know the management style of the person in charge of their Police Department because it's evident that the management style in force doesn't work, is not cost effective by any means and in fact has probably cost this town hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost training dollars, benefits and salary costs, such as when they have to pay for an officer for 16 weeks while they are at the academy training and not yet working at the town. After training at the academy there are months of additional training with another officer while on duty, thus doubling the number of officers on duty at the same time, another additional cost. Not efficient and very costly. Even when you hire a new police officer that doesn't have to go to the academy for training ,the training factor with another officer is still there. Every time you bring in a new officer you need another trained officer next to them at all times for months and months of “on the job training” if you will. Then after that you have seminars, additional training courses and such, that get invested into each officer. All this training is paid for by you "The Taxpayers". It's very expensive to lose trained officers. The numbers for this department are way out of line with the numbers in police departments as a whole. The only place you would see a turnover of this magnitude would be in a police department that has serous management problems and is in turmoil. Interesting, there is a lot of questions of integrity with a select few officers. They are at the top of the organization. You rarely hear that, that is usually where the stability is. The people of this town should find out why the management style encourages departure from it's police department at such a heightened rate as compared to other departments. What would be interesting would be to find out how many years of service these officers had, the more years, the more you invested in them. Of course if they all left for a better job or a promotion somewhere else the argument could be that the management style and training are so superior that these officers do move on to the benefit of other police departments.
Good questions for the Selectmen. See if you can get an answer.
I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know Brian Jordan because his name keeps coming up on this blog. Prior to this blog I knew of Brian and didn’t have an opinion of him one way or the other. He is portrayed by some, our selectment, our police department and by some other people who obviously haven’t taken 10 minutes to get to know him as basically a loser. I decided to take some time to speak with him about the many issues going on and the information he had because it just didn’t seem right that so much of what he was asking and saying made sense. It had validity. He has no bad will to anyone, he just wants people to be treated fairly and with respect. He wants the Selectmen to make sure all the towns employees and citizens are treated the same way, not one this way today and another that way tomorrow. To follow their own rules instead of making new ones up to fit a particular circumstance.
He’s frustrated with the thinking or the BOS and police because he recently was told by the town that he isn’t allowed on the towns property and it would be considered a trespass if he does, he has a letter to prove it, I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to show anyone who asks. I did and he let me look at it and that is what it says. This is one incident of being singled out, there are others.
Some people have told him that it’s no big deal and he can just mail in his car registration, he doesn’t need to go there. That’s what someone in a state agency said to him. Can you imagine? It’s not the point of what you can do, it’s the point that you can’t do such as exercise a basic right under the Constitution to have access to your government. A little problem here?
Brian Jordan has stated he has no criminal record of any kind, a few minor motor vehicle infractions is it, not unlike many of us. He’s very reputable and answers questions directly and never flinching or wavering because what he says is true. Test him. See if you can get him to exaggerate, mislead or misrepresent. He doesn’t. He’s very intelligent, very intuitive and very honest. He was brought up in a family that has integrity, not money, but integrity and lots of it. Just because you don’t have money doesn’t mean you can’t have integrity does it?
So why pick on him then? Because of the wealth of information he has gathered and substantiated. He’s a threat to the velvet pillows that hold the ass of the people who sit on them.
For them the only way to stop him is to discredit him and that’s what the selectmen and police dept have tried to do.
My guess is that they won’t be successful. Let’s hope not because it will be someone else rights taken away tomorrow.
In response to fiscal responsibility- you’re not off the mark
This information was taken from the following link:
http://www.winchesterinformer.com/Town_Budget.html
and can be seen under the section: Where the money went: Department line item spending.
Just look at the Cost to Town for 2008 – Chris Roberts who was hired at the end of March in 2008 , was hired making the same amount of money as Detective Sergeant Reppucci was making.
Reppucci is 2nd full time officer and Roberts is the 6th full time officer. We know this because we know that Dan Reppucci was the 2nd in command and he was the senior ranking officer under the Chief so his salary would be the 2nd highest. But wait there are two people making the same salary and for 6 months Chris Roberts was a patrol officer and the new kid on the block.
It cost the town taxpayers more for his medicare, workers comp, unemployment and retirement because his salary was more and all these benefits are based on salary, and again he was making more than it should have been for the position he was hired for.
Total cost for Reppucci for 2008 $47,598.95
Total cost for Roberts for 2008 $65,435.67
The difference is the cost in Health & Dental Benefits.
And the boots he accidently ordered for himself to the tune of $300.00, it’s been said the town paid for them for him.
More inconsistencies from the Chief, it looks like he was going to promote Roberts one way or the other. Why else would he give Roberts preferential treatment? He was on probation when he started, like anyone else would be and a patrol officer at that, getting Sergeant’s pay. Why?
More money wasted. Wasted and then the Chief asks for money for a new cruiser when we already said no AND he gets it anyway?
It wasn’t a dire emergency for a new cruiser. Proof of that is the cruiser they took out of service is now back in service at the town hall, you’ll recognize it with the shiny, new town seals on the doors.
You can’t deny the numbers, there is no hiding the facts here.
Who would like to deny what’s in the budget? Because who ever wants to deny it I’m sure the people would like to hear the explanation.
The selectmen might have deaf ears, but some of the rest of us don't. Keep the numbers coming. It will help us when it comes time to vote.
Claiming ignorance of what's going on in this town is no excuse for what has happened here. The selectmen should be ashamed that they have not found it in themselves to stand up and ask for truthful answers to the problems that are going on. Even if it's just a few people, as is the story they are sticking by, who are making noise - does that matter? Even if only a few people are making noise does that justify and make it OK to ignore when things are wrong and do absolutely nothing? Does that justify and make it right to not investigate problems because just a few people are staying they don’t exist? Does it give the problems less credence? So because the people who say there are problems aren’t elected or appointed there opinion counts less. Is that what the selectmen are saying? We don’t count? Roberta was quick to defend her actions and tell the world her story a week ago. She wanted everyone to hear about her problems and how it wasn't her fault she got behind in her taxes and yet it's that same attitude that spills over into town business. Gus wanted someone arrested for stealing when his wife did the same thing. What’s wrong with the thinking? These people have pretty big egos. I guess they all think if we say nothing maybe it will go away or maybe people won't know or whatever excuse sounds right. What’s even scarier is that not of the selectmen can even break ranks and have independent thinking. I haven't read a response in this entire blog that says anyone expects perfection and doesn't think that people can't make mistakes but, I’ve sure read a lot asking that the selectmen deal with the problems and correct the mistakes, at least ask the questions to find out if there is any truth to this stuff. If you think it’s just a few people then talk to them. Get the proof or lack of and then have a town meeting. What are you afraid? Having to work and make decisions? Why is this so hard? Sometimes you have to admit to mistakes before you can move forward. This town is stuck because the leadership won't take on the responsibility that real leaders take on because they don’t want to.
Maybe the embarrassment factor will kick in.
When they don't know exactly who is watching or what they are watching it might help to keep them on their toes and make decisions as they were voted in to do not as they please.
We need a campaign of voter awareness and a breakdown of the mumbo jumbo into what the words really mean something so when it comes time to vote, we're informed.
The bottom line is: The salaries and benefits need to be capped. The spending needs to be accounted for and needs to be responsible until the economy gets better.
We can't afford this bloated town government any more.
Speaking of cruisers, the 4x4 is on detail work today on rte12 in swanzey. A couple of years ago at the deliberative session the Chief told all the voters that we only use this vehicle in bad weather or emergencies. The selectmen must be afraid of this guy. I hope the budget comm. keeps this in mind when the chief comes begging for vehicles that he is wearing out on detail work that is so good for the town that no other town wants it.
I think the Chief of Police owes an explanation why he needed a new cruiser when we said no! How about it? I don't think they are afraid, I think they are working together to keep the truth from everyone.
I don't, I think he just be fired for his incompetence in taking care of his budget and for poor mangement of his department.
I have followed the blog and have a concern. What happens if we cannot remove the corrupt select people? We have heard Ms. Frazer's tale of woe and we all have that problem. I do believe that it is not the town's fault that she ran behind on her real estate taxes for six years. I might contribute that to poor fiscal management not the recession that the rest of us are going through.
How are we going to make certain that the select people that we elect follow our wishes? I certainly do not want to pay for another police crusier.
How do we as towns people step up to the plate and remove the officials from office that are not doing what they are supposed to do? If they should be reelected and continue in this pattern how do we remove them from office?
I truly am afraid that the town is in over its head and cannot get out from the irresponsibility? Does anyone have the answer?
To answer the question asked above;
I'm sure Winchester's town charter provides for the recall of any elected official upon the filing of a petition with the town clerk signed by 10 percent of the town's registered voters. If the official does not resign upon filing of the petition, a recall election is to be held.
In order to regain control of this town, people need to come forward, demand answers and if they are not satisfied with the answers they receive, not satisfied with those who hold office and who have a responsibility to all of us, to run the town efficiently and with fiscal responsibility, then the answer is very clear .. remove them from office.
Do we know the number of registered voters or do we need to go to the town for that number? Anybody?
The selectmen pander to the Chief in this town - let him run amok with his budget, buy new vehicles on a whim even after being told NO, let him hire and fire at will with no regard for the cost to the taxpayer. It's time to get a few petitions going. The bunch need to be ousted.
I believe the number of registered voters in town was 2905 as of last election. A call to the Town Clerks office will very the current number.
How come you have listed Roberta and gone over every detail of her tax problem while not taking the time to list the mamy many other who are in the same boat.instead of pointing out a serious problem it just looks like a personal attack. if you listed every one who is behind on their taxes it would bring to light the seriousness of the problem. or is it some of you are in the same boat? I think it shows how good of a selectman she is when she continues to do what is the best for town even when it raises her own taxes.
to add strength to you plea list everyone even if it is yourselves!
Don't shoot the messenger ..
Please read the first post over again. This was information provided to this blog by a citizen of the community who had concerns. It was not some personal attack by this blog on Ms. Fraser. That many others have come forward, posed questions and voiced concern ( like you ) is freedom of speech. That Ms. Fraser is on the Board of Selectmen and continuously votes for more and more unnecessary spending, time and time again, has raised concerns amongst the taxpayers of Winchester, especially when she has struggled to pay her own taxes; why add more burden to herself and others?
If you have information that concerns you and think others should be made aware of it and think people should be made aware of it, please send an email to this blog and if your information is found to be correct it will get posted too.
Maybe she does raise her taxes as well as everyone elses but she has a habit of not paying her taxes on time - so what's the point? She can raise everyones taxes and then pay hers years later? She is a public official and she is open for scrutiny as such. If she isn't comfortable with the spotlight perhaps it would be in her best interest to resign.
Why does public information in the public’s hands immediately translate into an attack by some? Why does it scare some people when the voters know the truth so they can make informed decisions? It’s ridiculous to suggest that asking ???’s and presenting the truth is wrong. Secrecy, double standards and a misinformed public are what are wrong not he the truth.
The Expedition was out on a detail again today. Not bad for a vehicle that can't be used usefully.
It is bad enough the expedition is used for details, for that matter any patrol vehicle. What you must consider when these vehicles are used is the constant idling time. These vehicle are running for several hours at a time which is excessive wear and tear on the engine that shortens the life of the engine.
In regards to the Selectmen pandering to the Chief, I'm not sure I'd agree if you listen I think he's the one doing the pandering.
Rumor Has It a Few Don’t Like this Website and are Unhappy with it’s content. This website has been in existence for years and is unpopular with those that disagree when an opinion is posted which does not agree with their opinion. To that we say THANK GOD WE LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
Let no one misunderstand that the NH State Constitution and US Constitution afford us the right to FREE SPEECH and any prohibition of that right is a violation of our 1st Amendment RIGHTS and our RIGHTS under Art. 22 of the State Constitution. Any violation of rights needs to be reported to the ACLU and elected state officials. [
State Constitution - Bill of Rights
Established October 31, 1783 Effective June 2, 1784 As Subsequently Amended and in Force January 2007
Art.] 22. [Free Speech; Liberty of the Press.] Free speech and liberty of the press are essential to the security of freedom in a state: They ought, therefore, to be inviolably preserved.
June 2, 1784
Amended 1968 to include free speech.
U.S. Constitition. (September 17, 1787) art. I-VII Published: Sep. 17, 1787
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
If your rights are being violated here are some suggestions
Step 1
Understand the limits of the first amendment. The first amendment protects the rights of free speech. Individuals have the right to express unpopular opinions and speak out without facing censorship in most cases.
Step 2
Engage in protected activity. For your speech to be protected you have to be engaged in an activity that is protected under free speech rights. Actions include speaking out against corporations, government and protesting their activities.
Step 3
Notice a violation of your free speech rights. This may come in the case of a lawsuit against you, censorship of what you can say or being fired from your job.
Step 4
Contact legal representation. Protect your right to free speech by gaining assistance from a lawyer. Discuss the violations with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Step 5
Seek public support. Write to editors of local newspapers to discuss your situation. Attempt to speak to news stations to reach a wider audience, set up a website and discuss your free speech violations in public forums.
Step 6
Influence policy makers. Contact local elected officials and members of congress to report violations of your first amendment rights. Change the future of how free speech is protected by voting for the candidates who support your belief.
A suggestion to those wishing to hush us up – Start your own website and blog and have your own discussions. We’ll pop in on you too, and if we see some things that make sense we would likely back you. We’re not as opposed to hearing what you have to say as you think we are contrary to how we feel you are opposed to hearing what we have to say and more importantly question. Try it….it might be more productive if we hear a differing opinion instead of it’s just a few malcontents at it again……
Okay, so someone thinks you should list everyone behind in taxes...? Okay then list everyone behind in mortgages, rent, car payments, insurance payments or fuel bills. It does nothing but embarass people. It is a tough economy and naming people for their financial problems is wrong and cruel. Keep this civil and let's attack the real problems---taxes! Move past this is be and focus on the issues that are dragging our town down. Let's work on spreading the word about the blog for constructive critism.
I never saw anyone suggesting that this blog should list everyone who is behind in their personal finances - but ........ I do see people suggesting that the truth from the elected's is a good thing.......
Ms Fraser's tax problems don't appear to be the result of a tough economy - it appears to be years of a tough economy.
How she handles her finances is a decision she will make - perhaps it's getting a job or two, like the rest of us, who knows.
The point is, if her taxes are putting her in a hole what does she think she's doing to everyone else?
If she doesn't have a handle on her finances and her feeling is that if you can't pay today - then pay tomorrow - it's not good and if someone questions her ability to make decisions that are responsible, or in this case many people question that, why shouldn't we answers?
Nobody has heard from the BOS about these questions.
We can't afford the spending and we can't afford the spending we said NO to a year agao any more now than at the time.
So the BOS needs to suck up to this and start talking to the people who elected them and stop treating us like we're the outsiders in this town and have no right to question anything.
The more we know the better informed at election time.
What our public officials don't seem to get is that many of us actually follow these meetings once minutes eventually get posted and we watch the voting records. Constantly you see time and time again a 5-0 vote on spending. many times it is Roberta that makes the motion to approve the spending; never has she once voted no on any increase. Going along to get along just does not cut it. It is obvious; because of her situation she is afraid to go against the others. She may deny this all she wants; but her actions speak volumes. Who in their right mind would vote to add more burden to themselves? This is not fair to any of us and this is why many of us have spoken up. They may be able to fool some and pull the wool over the eyes of others; but many of us get what's going on and will continue to voice our concerns, educate our neighbors and make the needed changes come March if not sooner.
I agree with the above post it's all about understanding and educating.
The power will come from those who do get it and it's the responsibility of the ones who do get it now, to reach out and explain and educate others who want to understand and want to get it.
They are listening and they are becoming educated and that is important and that is right.
We can't afford to wait for March for changes, the changes need to come now.
They need to come before another budget season.
The message needs to be loud and clear.
The acts of defiance already commited against the taxpayers and voters need to addressed now and not swept under the woodwork.
Once the house gets cleaned, we need to stay vigilant that our wishes are respected by those we put in office.
Not all that glitters is gold. Be wary what you wish for for you may not like what you hear or see. Not all law suits are as they appear to be. No one is perfect, we all have flaws and to say otherwise is foolish.
I don't think anyone cares about flaws - we just want the truth.
Before the old cruised was taken out of service,Paul McCoomb was asked by a selectman about the old cruiser's condition. Paul told the selectman the cruiser was in good enough shape to keep in service for at least another year. Certainly Paul's assessment of the old cruised was a good one since he has always done a good job maintaining all the other cruisers. Why would the selectmen go against what said especially when they spoke to paul before purchashing the new cruiser.
Sounds like the police chief knows about a couple of the selectmen's sins of the past. The chief rules, not the BOS or the tax payers. Thanks to the Informer that may change.
Don't forget the sins of the present.
R. Fraser should sell some of her 4 wheelers and other toys before her next bill rolls in so she has the money to pay her back taxes. It's a good idea that will help to keep her taxes paid on time. Something the rest of us have to do, especially with all the budget increases she's voted to heap on the rest of us.
Take a look at today's Keene Sentinel, topic Tax liens, come on Mrs. Frazer. Worried for your safety, harassment, nobody hates you ,they just expected that with your financial problems and your campaign platform you would vote for less spending. A lot of the voters think you have let them down, end of story.
Please..... Roberta Fraser is not the innocent the Sentinel makes her out to be and she creates some of her own problems.
She also isn't the innocent she pretends to be.
She hasn't been timely with her taxes in years, yet lives in a huge home with a built in pool and her kids go to private school and she doesn’t work.
It would also be fair to say she knows first hand what the inside of the jail looks like as she spent a night there several years ago.
These could be some of the reasons why there might be some resentment towards her.
There is always a flip side to every story.
640 homes are behind on their taxes totally over 6 million dollars, I am waiting for you to list all these people and attack them also making it personal.why is it your so worried about 1 house when there is 640 houses behind? for the few people on this blog with gray matter between the ears its obvious. I have a copy of this list and as soon as i figure out how to scan it and add it to a blog it will be on here also so all the familys behind with taxes can come under your unfair scrutiny.
bet some of you are on it!
Bottom line, these people aren't spending my money. Cant wait to see the list.
To anonymous - it appears you must work at town hall or the budget committee to have collected so many names.
In any case, all the back tax information is certainly public information and anybody can access it.
What would be interesting to see is how many of these people have been delinquent for as many years as Roberta Fraser has been, who is in the public eye just like Clinton was, because she holds an office in town and she chose to run, nobody did it for her.
A glitch in the system for those not on a fixed income and of working age would probably be more like a year or two, maybe three years on the outside for being behind in taxes. But going back to 2003? - It's 2009.
Anything after 2 -3 years, at best, looks like money mismangement and/or living above your means to the average person who has to work for a living and pays their taxes on time.
You have to consider that the greater percentage of households in Winchester sacrifice to pay their taxes on time and many probably use loans and credit cards to do so.
Furthermore, if the town has 640 homes that the owners are unable to pay taxes on don’t you think Roberta Fraser should be looking to cut taxes by reducing spending instead of always voting 5-0 to increase them?
Let us once again set the record straight;
First off, we, those of us who post the topics for discussion on this personal blog get information from many sources. In this case it was someone, living in Winchester, wanting to know why someone, obviously struggling to keep up with the enormous tax burden that some of us also are having a hard time with, would continue to vote in a positive manner to increase spending year after year. It's akin to digging a hole to bury yourself in time and time again. To those people with grey matter between their ears it doesn't make sense. Everyone knows there is a huge over spending problem in this town. That department heads do not stay within budget and money is thrown around like leaves on a windy day. While other towns cut back and the state lays off workers, our town hires and gives out raises and bonuses like there is nothing going on, while many struggle to keep up and put food on the table or clothes on the backs of their school children. For example our town leaders purchased equipment that we not only didn't need; but voted no when they asked if they could spend OUR money.
Secondly, Ms Fraser is a public figure by her own choosing. She is open to more scrutiny because of this and her honesty and integrity are going to be examined by people time and time again; just like any public official including the President of The United States. It is nothing personal, it's just the way things are when you are in public office. Claiming she is/was being personally attacked by this blog is unfounded and just not true.
Thirdly, Tax records are public information, available to anyone wanting to know, as you seem to be well aware of with your list. If you are so upset over the fact that someone in town questioned why, Ms.Fraser, a public official, is so far behind in paying her own taxes, would constantly continue to vote for more and more spending and asked if this was a conflict of interest being a selectman, then why would you threaten to post the names of others in the same boat that are not voting to raise your taxes; but instead are struggling to keep their heads above water too. It's one thing to fall upon hard times and miss a payment through no fault of your own, it's another thing entirely when you don't pay your taxes year after year after year and yet continue to live a lifestyle obviously well above your means. There are credit councilors and other agencies that offer help to people who have fallen behind and will help you find ways to save money and eliminate your debt. If someone needs a number to cal, simply ask and we'll post information to help you.
Myself, I have no issues with Ms. Fraser or anyone else who is having a problem paying their taxes. In fact I have always treated her with respect and civility when we speak. What I and obviously someone else has, is a problem with someone working the system, while others who are truly trying, are falling deeper into debt and farther behind by this same person's actions of adding to their burden.
I think any selectmen in any town gets so much pressure from the dept. heads and town employees that they forget that they are there to represent the tax payers that voted them in. When you talk about 8% raises and performance bonuses you see how out of touch some of these people are. I don't think some of these people have friends or family out of work or on short hours. Lots of people are taking a cut in wages to keep a job, heck even the F.D.I.C. is in trouble. Ken gets it because he has to face out of work broke people that don't have any idea how they are going to survive Daley. Lets not forget who works for who.
I beg to differ with you, fact is none of them gets it. In fact I'll go so far as to say none of them cares .. period. Reading the minutes of their meetings over the past year, they continue to vote as a group to pass all spending requests, over and over again. Erin Robb asks for money to seal the wall at the town beach costing us thousands and then wants thousands more for the unnecessary pavilion very few use, going way over her budget. Add to that new grills and picnic tables and you see that this woman cares more about image than any of the 640 people struggling to keep their homes. Then we have Dale Gray, who needs to replace a dump body on a truck town employees damaged.Instead of taking insurance money and going to Global Truckers to see if it could be fixed, hell no, he puts it out to bid for a complete replacement and asks to go with the HIGHEST bidder; because he likes their style! Then he asks for another $250,000.00 to chip seal 10 miles of roadway in town under the guise of making them last longer. Even the State, who spends millions each year patching road surfaces DOES NOT chip seal, it's a waste of money, look at the mess they made on Lake Road. Next up, the ambulance dept. they need a bigger ambulance with all the shiny new stuff; because they need more room to in their words adequately administer to patients without having to reach across them to get what they need to treat them on the 10 minute ride to Keene. I won't go into the real reasons behind this request, the minutes spell it all out. But the fact is the ambulance, though old was in good shape and didn't need to be replaced this year, it could have waited. Next up, Chief Gary, I need a new cruiser to tool around in, Phillips. Despite the town voting no on this expense, the board behind our backs say's no problem Gary, here's some extra money, get all the bells and whistles, wouldn't want you to be seen driving around in that old unsafe car, which by the way is the repainted, vehicle the Dept. heads get to drive around now. Know any other towns with a special vehicle for just town employees to use?
Fact, this town wastes millions of dollars a year in tax payer money just to project a false image of a thriving town and people in town government working for the best interest of the whole town. Fact, they work to make each other look good, plain and simple. I don't know about the rest of you; but if we don't vote as a group to remove these spend happy people there will be a lot more than 640 of us taxpayers falling behind in their taxes. Wake up Winchester, we are not a thriving town, we are a dead town going nowhere except to the poorhouse while a few live high off the hog and dictate our tax rate by promoting their own image and self importance. It is time to save our town, stop the waste of tax dollars and elect officials that will work for us, not against us for their own agendas.
The Sentinel should have posed those questions to Roberta Fraser when they did there little interview but, that being negative in reality world they couldn't, probably for fear of some sort of retaliation. Who knows maybe these reporters, Bantz and Palermo, have relatives in town.
Since we all know that Roberta likes to keep up with the real news by reading the Informer, she now has an opportunity to tell us the real truth about what that Sentinel didn't report on and why it is she keeps voting for all this spending.
How about it Roberta, the floor is yours.
Roberta's mother works for the Brattleboro Reformer. Maybe there is a connection between the Reformer and the Keene "can't get the facts straight or report the truth accurately" Sentinel.
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