Gloria Flannery’s March 7-8 article, titled, “Limestone selectmen accept budget plan,” is basically correct. I did put together the proposed “optional budget” based on discussions with othe selectmen and taxpayers who are not in favor of increasing taxes in this town. Unfortunately, the budget committee, by close votes, seems to favor increasing taxes.

The original projection of state revenue sharing funds for the 1992 fiscal year for Limestone was $485,680, now considerably less, and when projected to 1994 could be less than $100,000. Based on present valuation we are faced with an 11-mil increase just to replace lost state revenue-sharing funds, if there were no other losses of revenue and increase in spending.

All preliminary budgets called for tax increases. Town employees, with one exception, received 6.5-to-9-percent salary increases based on negotiations of a board three years ago. They were asked to consider giving up their 1992 increases but voted not to re-negotiate, even though salaries are generally higher than in towns of comparable size.

The town is faced with rising salaries and spending, decreases in revenue sharing, materials and supplies have been reduced to bare minimums, reserve account funding has been reduced to levels that will not support timely that can reasonably be expected to decrease in value. Tax increases must be expected if spending is not reduced. Where have you heard this story before?

Elimination of the present tax collector position was proposed several years ago as justification to purchase a town computer. This never materialized. It was recommended in budget discussions last year but failed. this year it is the position of the selectmen to put the issue to the voters. Tax collection will not be eliminated!… Homer R. (Bob) Ward Limestone