The Sun Journal reported that property taxes for residents of the town of Jay would increase by $1.75 per $1,000 of valuation.

And now the selectmen are considering a property tax abatement to refund millions of dollars to Verso Paper Corp.?

Are we, the taxpayers, supposed to make up the lost money just so a multi-million-dollar company can make larger profits?

I say “no” in big letters.

Where is a tax refund for residents?

We have to pay our taxes, why shouldn’t Verso pay?

And no refund, either.

Harry Higgins, Jay

Editor’s note: Verso Androscoggin LLC requested a tax abatement in February based on decreased property value. The town valued the mill and property at $815.4 million last year and the value this year is about $592 million. Selectmen have until Dec. 1 to make a decision on the abatement request.