Dear Editor:

There are some residents who will increasingly face difficult decisions later this year.

In particular, Boothbay residents should start taking note of the impact of the annual school budget for the 2024/2025 year. Due to enrollment, Boothbay taxpayers will very likely be seeing double-digit increases in their portion of the school tax. This will be in addition to the potential cost of the bond, which will be decided by voters on April 24. This could be the proverbial double whammy.

The School Trustees are responsible. Mr. Kahler, who doesn’t live or pay taxes here, can speak glibly about the $294 (Boothbay Harbor; $360 Boothbay) annual cost of the school bond (for a home assessed at $300,000). However, $294 is the monthly cost of one prescription for many people. This past week, I stood behind someone at the local pharmacy, who needed to pick up three monthly prescriptions but could only afford to buy one. They had to leave two prescriptions unfilled.

School leadership may not think the bond costs much. But for some residents, it may result in having to choose between their home and their health.

Denise Griffin

Boothbay Harbor