Letter to the Editor: Road millage is a concern for all
Nov. 25, 2019
To the Editor:
Having safe, well maintained roads is a major concern for all of us. How to pay for our roads is a huge challenge.
On November 5, Manchester Village residents will make a decision on whether their tax dollars should be spent on township roads outside the village limits. For voters to make an accurate, informed decision they need all the information. Following are the facts related to the township road millage renewal vote.
On their village tax bill, village taxpayers pay for village roads and for the $635,000 bond for the Main Street bridge … AND, if the township road millage renewal is approved, they will continue paying for township roads. This township road millage DOES NOT help take care of the entire township including the village; it only funds the roads in the township that are outside the village.
The October 23 Manchester Mirror article covers the township’s justification for taxing village residents to pay for township roads. Not addressed is funding for township roads within the village limits that have those same issues and needs. If this were a true “township road millage” shouldn’t it also include funds for township roads within the village limits?
The Manchester Mirror article states that when the cost of fire runs and township road projects exceed the millage money collected “the township supplements this additional expense from their general fund.” As a village within the township, this year village taxpayers will also pay over $56,000 into that general fund.
Voting is November 5 at the Manchester Township Hall from 7 am to 8 pm. Absentee ballots are available at the township office.
Pat Vailliencourt
Village President
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in any Letter to the Editor are always exclusively those of the author. Do you have something you want Manchester the know? Send your Letter to the Editor to themanchestermirror@gmail.com.
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