Like many of our fellow Scarborough residents, we have been astounded, shocked and, at times, mystified by the current town budget process. We have been dismayed by a five-year history of out-sized real estate tax increases. Our taxes have increased 25 percent during a period when inflation has increased 10 percent. And we have been further angered when school officials promise even more significant school budget increases in the future.

Recently we met with members of the Saco Citizens for Sensible Taxation, a group formed two years ago in response to Saco’s huge tax increases. That very successful group provides a model which can be adapted to Scarborough’s needs.

We believe there are enough Scarborough residents who share our frustrations and are looking for an organized, constructive outlet for those frustrations. So we are holding a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 350 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough. At the meeting we will outline how the Saco group achieved success and how a similar group could succeed in Scarborough. But most of all, we are interested in getting taxpayers’ thoughts on the current tax situation in the town and what can be done to correct it.

Please join us on June 3 and make your voice heard.

Bob Rovner, Mike Turek & Steve Hanly
Scarborough