Letter: After your kids graduate, will you bolt from Barrington?

Posted 4/25/17

To the editor:

An elected Barrington official recently crowed “this is democracy at work” smugly referring to the approval of the MS bond issue at the March FTM. It’s easy when …

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Letter: After your kids graduate, will you bolt from Barrington?

Posted

To the editor:

An elected Barrington official recently crowed “this is democracy at work” smugly referring to the approval of the MS bond issue at the March FTM. It’s easy when voters in the affirmative, grasp for the shiny object, a “state of the art” middle school, and agree to dispense the largess of taxpayers all the while being kept in the dark about alternatives and/or consequences of this controversial, largely misunderstood, open-ended public works project. After all, you might have been fortunate enough to win the Power Ball; or perhaps you married a millionaire. Most in town have had no such luck.

But, if only those who voted for this fiscally irresponsible project, could pause for just a moment and reflect on what their vote has wrought … and what it meant for those who voted nay. 

It did not mean that those who voted against the bond opposed the new middle school or the fine educational institution that’s been established in this town for more than 70 years.  

On the contrary, we support the middle school, but can ill afford the extravagance of an over-build. There is a growing consensus that $45 million would more than suffice to produce an outstanding facility. Might I remind you, Barrington Middle School, despite it’s current condition, was presented with the Blue Ribbon School award just a few years ago, marking it as one of the best in the country. This was not the result of bricks and mortar, it was due to the outstanding community of students, teachers, parents and supportive residents.

If you are new to this lovely, quintessential New England town, could I ask you a few questions? 

Will you, as my wife and I, after your children have received their BHS diploma, stay and support our highly valued educational franchise? 

Will you choose to live here during your retirement years? 

Would you be able to afford living here on a fixed income, or at least appreciate that there are many who would?

Or will you “bolt” for greener pastures? 

If you cannot answer yes to these questions, then you might begin to understand the plight of many long time residents.

Bob and Mary Fuller (my parents) moved here in 1960 from Philadelphia, Pa., as it was their understanding that the Barrington school system, even then, offered an exceptional educational value. They stayed through their mid-60’s until they could no longer afford to live here due to the exorbitant property taxes. George and Eleanor Mayhew, my wife’s parents stuck it out, somehow survived and managed to stay. 

I wish you could appreciate the fact that there are many who have built homes and community here, have graduated from BHS, have put their children through the school system, who strongly desire to remain in the homes they cherish. 

If only you knew the love they have for this town and its schools. But may no longer be able to make the sacrifice due to the rapidly increasing tax burden. If only at this FTM, you could understand that many can ill afford a 4 percent plus tax increase, this year or in the foreseeable future. 

What is sought, I believe, is simple. An aspirational message from our politicians that represents a reasonable, balanced and affordable plan that meets the needs of all residents and a tax scheme that reflects the same. Our current school committee and town council members seem to be incapable of grasping this ideal. A dearth of leadership is at the core of this crisis. Basking in the praise of good intentions will not resolve this problem.

 “….It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us…” says Dickens in his “Tale”. 

At the FTM this May, I hope we’ll find a ‘Season of Light and a message of Hope for all of us’.

Scott Fuller

Barrington

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.