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On Facebook: Norwalkers Sound Off On Possible Tax Hike

NORWALK, Conn. – Facing the possibility of a 3.9 percent increase in their property taxes next year, several Norwalk residents came out against it Wednesday on Facebook.

Readers on Facebook sounded off Wednesday on Norwalk's possible property tax increase for next year.

Readers on Facebook sounded off Wednesday on Norwalk's possible property tax increase for next year.

Photo Credit: Alfred Branch

The Norwalk Daily Voice asked readers whether the possibility of the tax hike concerned them, and, while at least one respondent backed an even higher increase if the extra money paid for specific items, the rest were against the move.

“Of course this increase concerns me,” wrote Maureen Milano DeNunzio. “When they drop the unemployment rate to below 5 percent then we can talk about raising taxes.”

Joyce Quinlan did not mince words. “Why? For what? It takes them two days to plow us out. We have pot holes all over our road, go to another town. We are not getting a pay increase to pay for increase property tax.”

The proposed tax increase would add about $250 to the current average property tax bill of $6,338, according to Finance Director Tom Hamilton, who is recommending the increase to pay for the city’s proposal to spend $311.3 million to run Norwalk next year.

The recommended spending plan can be seen by clicking here, and the recommended tax rates are here.

The proposed spending amount is far from finalized, however. Over the next several weeks, various city boards, departments and Common Council committees will hold a series of meetings on the proposed budget. The schedule can be viewed by clicking here.

“When we are GIVING away taxable property & expanding taxpayer funded housing and programs – while services FOR taxpayers are reduced – YES it concerns me,” wrote Ken Prince Jr. “We are already over taxed in this city and state. I don’t care what needs to be cut, or cut back, but its long past time our elected leaders stopped sucking us dry and started acting financially responsible. If there’s not enough money, SPEND LESS.”

Debby Goldstein Todd disagreed, and urged the city to increase taxes a bit more.

“No - I think they should double the increase from $250 to $500!” wrote Todd. “That would give the City an extra $30 MILLION...gosh, if they gave another $10 million to the school system, maybe it would help. We could get a Grant Writer back, and then the VALUE of our property would GO UP!!!”

Not so fast, wrote a woman who goes by the name River Cat. “I am truly going to have a fit if this happens. Norwalk has made my home unsellable and my street intolerable due to a change in use. If the taxes go up, the bank can have it, as far as I'm concerned.”

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