How dare they! On Nov. 22, the Northampton City Council convened a special meeting to determine the fate of Northampton taxpayers. Two days before Thanksgiving when residents were busy preparing for the holiday or traveling. It was voted that instead of increasing the tax rate that our property value would be increased due to the influx of bidding wars over property in Northampton. Who are buying these homes in our city? Outsiders who are wealthy and can afford the outrageous overpricing of homes. My husband and I were born and bred in Hamp. We raised our children here and cannot afford to live here anymore. We are retired and live on a limited income. Our taxes increased $500 a quarter or $2,000 a year. Was the City Council thinking of the residents who built this city? That would be a definite NO! We have the elderly, middle class and low income families struggling before this increase. There was no thought on how residents could manage this increase in value of our homes. To put it bluntly this city is now for wealthy elitists!

Patricia Doppmann

Leeds

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