Harvard residents are living in interesting times right now. The state doesn’t give towns back enough of the taxes it collects from residents to pay for mandates the state sets. Current property taxes don’t cover the mandates, or the pay and benefit increases town employees want and/or need, or the increases to school programs that the schools want and/or need, or the increases library supporters want and/or need to manage the new library.

Some residents think that their children won’t be successful or happy unless the Harvard schools are in the top 10 in the state and that no price is too high to pay to maintain that level. Some residents think that the schools are doing a pretty good job—citing more musicians and math students than ever going to competitions; sports teams winning; high test scores; high college placements as evidence—and that less financial pressure from higher taxes might be a good thing. Some residents wonder how they’ll be able to continue to live in the town they helped form if taxes go any higher.

Strong lobbying for one position without consideration for other positions widens the divide, since whatever spending increases go through jeopardize those who can’t afford them. And what a boring town this would be if its only residents were those who could afford anything they wanted!

How can residents narrow these wide divides?

Honestly assessing the difference between wants and needs is one way to reduce the need for more spending. Putting pressure on the state legislature to correct the problems stated in Representative Jamie Eldridge’s opinion piece is another way,  and actively supporting Eldridge in his efforts will help him help the town to find revenue sources other than the property tax.