While other cities and towns were freezing or reducing spending, Canton selectmen chose to recklessly spend more.

The worse spender was the fire chief, who is also one of the selectmen. Within four different articles, his department ended up with $50,000 more than I believe he needs to run his department.

The public works department could have had its budget reduced by $25,000 or more.

The town government budget could have been cut by at least $15,000. Instead, selectmen included a 50 to 60 percent raise they gave themselves, even if they miss meetings.

Those are reasons that Canton residents’ taxes went up. You can’t spend more and expect taxes to go down.

The selectmen, budget committee and fire department members controlled the town meeting that had 18 or fewer voters. Those people did not represent the taxpayers of Canton.

That is what happens when residents don’t attend their own town meeting.

Percy Butler, Canton