West Hartford, Connecticut 06107

April 5, 2007

Dear Town of West Hartford Leaders:

This is the first time I have corresponded to the town leaders, but two issues with a common result have driven me to express strong displeasure. The two issues are the recent property tax evaluation and the increase in the current budget, both of which have a significant impact on property tax.

My property assessment increased nearly three folds; from $273,730 to $724,200 and my understanding of the average town increase for residential was approximately 75%. I am not privy to the other residential assessments, but I suspect my increase must be near the top of those with increases.

When the large increase in assessments is combined with the budget that produces a mil rate of 31.4 my total tax increases to approximately $23,000. Additionally, if I use the percentage of town property tax of 56.5% attributed to education, my portion is $13,000. An amount that compares with one years tuition at many colleges and universities!!

I have resided in West Hartford for over 37 years and now find myself forced out of town. I have limited ability to fund the tax increase year after year, short of selling my home. A situation that many citizens may find themselves in, especially my fellow seniors. With friends and family located in West Hartford, pulling up roots is a difficult choice. However, I am forced to seek a more friendly tax town and have placed my home on the market, at the town’s assumed market value. After several months, I have not had one offer.

I have no hope in gaining any redress, but I strongly urge you to correct the town revaluation results and to reduce the town budget to an affordable amount. If I could understand the budgeted line items better, I would offer specific recommendations, but even as a Connecticut CPA, I fail to understand the budget puzzle.

In a plea you, as town leaders, put the ‘Heart’ back in West Hartford and lead by example.

Respectfully submitted,

Edwin M. Felske