Towns should live within their means

I am constantly being told "We're keeping taxes at $0 increase." However, since I moved here four years ago, my taxes have gone up $5,500. To me that is an increase.

Now you want to build a rec center whose building costs $33 million, not to mention the costs of maintenance, staffing, insurance, etc. How is this going to affect my bottom line? We now own Traders' Cove and are paying debt service plus costs to maintain that marina. If it has been built upon, we'd be getting ratables into the town.

I understand the value of preserving land and making safe places for our children to play. Your senior population is on fixed income whether they are rich or poor, and now I must decide how long I can afford to live in Brick with the "spend now, think about how to pay for it later" attitude.

We need to re-evaluate our debt service and budgeting process. I suggest the mayor and council learn to live like the rest of us - save for things you want and spend only what you have.

Carol Jones

Brick