Many recent letters to the editor supporting the proposed new primary tax of $7 million a year make an emotional appeal.

It is said this tax is needed to save our town. The opponents must therefore not want to save our town. Some even suggest it is our obligation to vote for the tax and that we owe it to the town to approve it. Stop; take a breath and objectively examine the proposed tax.

The published current year’s budget (Town’s website) shows a total shortfall of $4.16 million over a five-year span. At a February planning meeting this shortfall was updated to $1.12 million per year (reported in The Times Feb. 14). The proposed tax of $7 million per year would generate $35 million over five years, or $5.88 million excess for each year above the updated shortfall.

Once a tax is in force, does it ever go away? Does any government ever tell you it has collected too much tax and return it? Is the proposed tax too big? Yes. Can you still be a good person, love your town, and vote no? You bet your sweet bippy.

Ballots will soon arrive in the mail. Don’t be afraid to vote no!