AUBURN – Deana Chapman has never been involved in city politics, but the revaluation figures she received last week have her mad enough to take a stand.
The beauty salon owner is forming a taxpayer group and has scheduled an organizational meeting for 7 p.m. Monday at American Legion Post 153 on South Main Street.
Estimated tax bills for 2006, based on the city’s first revaluation in 15 years, went out last week. Based on the city’s projection, taxes on Chapman’s home on South Main Street in New Auburn would jump $1,100.
Despite an expected drop in the mill rate, she feels the cost of living in Auburn is too high.
“We need to start having a say in how our money in the city is spent,” Chapman said Friday, taking a break between clients at her New Auburn beauty salon, All About You. “We’re angry. Frustrated. It’s unheard of,” she said, referring to the ever-increasing tax burden.
Prompted by a steady stream of customers and neighbors stopping by to complain, she decided to get people together and “put together some format in which we can be heard.” She hopes people with knowledge about city politics and taxation will be willing to sign up and help bring concerns to the Auburn City Council.
She already has enlisted the help of former City Councilor Norm McKeone, who is equally upset about the new valuations.
“When you’re retired and on a fixed income, it’s very, very hard,” he said in a phone conversation Friday. He added that he feels taxes may drive some residents from the area.
Reginald Emery Sr. of Minot Avenue also is upset about the revaluation. His taxes will go from $2,500 a year to between $7,000 and $8,000, he said. “We have runaway inflation down here at the present time. They don’t know how to stop spending.”
Emery was once a member of a group called the Auburn Taxpayers Association, a citizen group that watched city spending. He plans to offer his assistance and a copy of the old bylaws to Chapman.
“I’m living on a fixed income,” he said. “I’m 74 years old and I can’t go out and get another job.”
If taxes continue to go up, Emery expects his neighbors to start moving out of the city.
“It’s just crazy,” he said.
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