Back Melendy Pond land leases

Friday, March 5, 2010

To the Editor:

I am asking my fellow Brookline voters to vote yes on Warrant Article 21, at the annual Town Meeting on Wednesday, March 10. This warrant is requesting the taxpayers to continue the land leases at Melendy Pond.

The tax revenue generated from these leases is free and clear money for the town. Melendy Pond requires no tax dollars for roads or property maintenance.

Cottage owners pay a yearly lease, set by the Melendy Pond Authority. This is the money that is used to maintain the 400 acres around the pond. Every lease has restrictions, since these cottages are “recreational seasonal.” These properties cannot be used as “permanent addresses,” which means you cannot send children to school locally using these addresses, vote, register your car, or get your mail delivered.

Cottage owners pay full market value taxes on the cottages, which includes the school tax portion.

I feel that in this economically challenging time it would be fiscally irresponsible not to continue generating easy tax dollars for the town.

CAROL M. ANDERSON-FARWELL

Brookline