Our mission
Transparency and fairness in local government practices
“The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our own money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the dispensation of the public monies.”– Thomas Jefferson
Northfield’s 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET IS $13,099,409. In a town of just 2900 people that is a yearly $4,517 for every man, woman and child. Most families estimate their budgets on a monthly basis. For a family of four that would be $376 per family member or $1,507 monthly per family. For a retired couple the tax burden would be $752 per month. This should be a serious concern for anyone wishing to live and retire in the town of Northfield.
Much has been made about a recent article on Mass Live about Northfield being the #1 most likely town to become a “Ghost Town” in Massachusetts. A “Ghost Town” is defined as a reduction of population of 25% or more by the year 2100.
There are 11 towns slated to hit this benchmark and 5 of them are in Franklin county.The top 4 are Northfield, Millers Falls, Greenfield and Orange. The “winner” is Northfield at a 48% projection of population loss, tied with Millers Falls.
Our three Franklin County state legislators were “mad as a hornet” about the content of the article. They should be. Franklin county gets the table scraps from Boston. But let’s be honest. There is much more to this “award” than the politicians propaganda would allow you to believe. Our three legislators offered a rebuttal on how to fix the future of these towns but sadly the resolution was to spend more money and yield more power to governments.
My name is Brian Bordner and I am a long time resident of Northfield. Many of you know me for my activism bring to light the corrupt actions of the towns administration and their foolishness in spending and appropriating tax revenues. I have been involved in many actions to right the wrongs of local governments and have spoke quite often at annual town meetings. Love it or hate it my opinions have made a positive difference for the people who feel victimized by our town administration.
The Northfield Taxpayers Protection Association was formed by a group of local business owners in 2009 who were concerned about the excess taxation of the residents of Northfield. The consensus was that there was a need for an alternative group to enter with discussion of a more financially conservative view of what we are taxed and why.
Will Northfield be a Ghost Town by 2100?
Why are the taxpayers so upset with the Town Administration?
In the past five years, there has been a growing frustration among taxpayers regarding the Town Administration’s actions. Many feel that the administration operates with a disregard for the electorate’s wishes. This dissatisfaction is evident in recent proposals and decisions, particularly those presented at Town Meetings and Special Town Meetings. Let’s delve into the issues that have led to this discontent.
The Failed Public Safety Complex Proposal
One prominent example is the attempt to build a $20+ million Public Safety Complex. This proposal, which ultimately failed, was spearheaded by a board tasked with designing and securing land for the facility. Notably, this board failed to learn from a similar failed project a decade earlier. The previous attempt failed largely because the proposal did not account for the cost of the bond load. This lack of transparency was a critical issue that was evidently ignored in the new proposal.
Despite this, some members of the panel seemed driven by the desire to create a “legacy” at taxpayers’ expense. Two panel members were dismissed for offering feedback that conflicted with the prevailing agenda, further highlighting the administration’s disregard for taxpayer input. Additionally, an unsuitable plot of land was purchased at three to four times its actual value, raising questions about the decision-making process.
The panel then spent nearly a million dollars on a building design that failed to meet the wetlands requirements and the town’s needs. Notably, the design did not even accommodate all of the town’s fire trucks. Moreover, the cost presented to the town did not include the bond load, replicating the mistake of the previous project.
Lack of Transparency and Respect
At the Special Town Meeting, the presentation on the project’s scope was conducted by the fire chief, allowing for taxpayer questions. However, the town administrator presented the cost without allowing any questions from the public, which many perceived as a significant disrespect to the taxpayers.
Tensions escalated when a select board member verbally attacked a citizen for their comments, violating the administration’s own Code of Civil Conduct. Fortunately, the Town Moderator intervened to address this breach.
Further dissatisfaction was fueled by the fact that, despite a lengthy five-hour Special Town Meeting where it became clear the project was likely to be rejected, a select board member’s prolonged plea to the audience only added to the frustration. To make matters worse, although the meeting was filmed, a “technical” issue resulted in the footage being unavailable, depriving taxpayers of a complete record of the proceedings.
Accountability and Legacy Issues
The culmination of these issues has led to significant taxpayer frustration. There has been no accountability for the failed million-dollar plans, no dismissals for those responsible, and no recognition of the public’s dissatisfaction. The lack of accountability and transparency has left citizens feeling disillusioned and angry with the Town Administration.
In summary, the taxpayers’ frustration stems from a series of missteps and a perceived disregard for their concerns, which has fueled a broader sense of disrespect and dissatisfaction with the Town Administration.
HIGH TAXES WON’T LET YOU LIVE OR RETIRE IN NORTHFIELD IN THE FUTURE
In 2023 Massachusetts lost 8% of the population to Tax Flight
If you combine all the taxes that the state of Massachusetts along with the property taxes the town of Northfield now charges, this is not a friendly place for young families or retirees.
As of August 2023 the average monthly benefit from Social Security is $1,750 or $21,000 annually.
In New Hampshire there no tax on retirement, 401K or pension income.
NH has no sales tax but does tax on interest and dividend income. Mass has a 6.25% state sales tax.
Mass has a 5% state income tax. NH does not.
Wallet Hub gave NH a overall best state to retire in at #7 with affordability rating at #28. Mass is rated #44 on affordability, or 6th worst in the country.
According to Nerd Wallet, 40% of people between the ages of 55 to 64 have NO RETIREMENT SAVINGS! Those who do have an average of $71,168.
Wallet Hub rates Mass as the state at #47 with the highest adjusted cost of living (or 3rd worst).
Yahoo Finance finds you will need $1,120,304 of retirement savings in Mass.
The annual cost of living is $64,234. Annual cost of living after Social Security income is $44,812.
NH retirement savings requirement is $821,746. Annual cost of living is $52,289 and $32,747 after Social Security income.
Add all this taxation along with Northfield property tax and it’s a easy decision to stand up to the taxation culture at the Town Hall.
2025 operating budget is 13,099,409 for the town of Northfield. 2024 budget was $11,766,226.95. That is an increase of 11 percent.
2025 budget of 13,099,409 is for roughly 2900 RESIDENTS. That is $4,517 for every man, woman and child listed as a resident. Not all residents own property. Some rent, putting a higher burden on land owners.
Over 50% of land in Northfield is tax exempt. Northfield has two large tracts of state forrest.
There is large amount of property that has religious, farming and land use exemptions.
A recent article in Mass Live stated Northfield is projected to lose 48% of it’s population by the year 2100. That is rated #1 in towns in Mass.
Liars figure but the figures don’t lie
Not just NIMBY but a hate for business and commerce
When I grew up in Northfield in the 1960’s there was all sorts of business activity. Residents didn’t have to travel far to get the goods and services they needed to survive. There was a IGA Food Mart which still exists. Next to the Food Mart was a pharmacy and a barber shop.
We had multiple gas stations in Northfield. Barnes Sunoco is West Northfield. Podolinskis Gulf on main street. Thompsons Texaco on north main street as well. There was Sandri Sunoco and Morgan’s Mobile station on south main street.
Northfield even had a gas station at the Ford dealership. That’s right! You didn’t have to leave town to buy a car. There was also Jordon’s used car dealership at north main street. Rua’s restaurant was iconic meeting place. We had a television repair store in the center of town.
Not much of that 1960’s business infrastructure is left. So what happened?
What economic conditions changed that caused the closure of these establishments?
It was the introduction of new residents coming to Northfield and taking positions in town boards. A sense of community connection to business was supplemented by activist negativity and a love of harmful regulations. The dialog changed so board members and positions in the town hall would find any road block to stop any positive development at all.
It is interesting that there was a recent survey about business development in the town of Northfield. Still the “Not In My Back Yard” sentiment is prevalent.
76% of respondents wanted to see increased business development located “elsewhere in town”. Where is that?
Economic development should be focused on the creation of jobs with healthy incomes.
The best example of Northfield Negative was when David and Tim Rice went to sell their 131 network of Mobile station to Erving of Canada. The town of Northfield Zoning Board had previously gave him such a hard time about wanting to upgrade the Northfield Mobile prior to the sale that he had endured enough. He sold 130 of the Mobile stations and for a tax write off he donated the Northfield site to a religious organization, taking it off the tax roles. A big middle finger to the town of Northfield.
The same hate of business updating happened to Sandra Sunoco on Main Street. The town boards gave them grief about putting up a protective awning.
They just said to hell with Northfield and closed. Now you can get Dunkin’ Donuts at Sunoco in Bernardston.
On May 1st of 2024 there will be a group of well intention consultants have a meeting at the Northfield Town Hall to discuss economic development. NEWS FLASH. Don’t waist you time. The town of Northfield just raised property taxes 28% on two of the oldest continuously operating businesses. No entrepreneur in their right mind would locate a business here now.
Kevin McCarthy of the TV show Shark Tank has stated that Massachusetts is one of the three states that he would NOT recommend locating a business in.
Put Northfield’s hatred of business on top of that and what is the outcome?
Both Bernardston, Hinsdale and Winchester have the wide range of businesses that Northfield used to enjoy. Northfield is surrounded by such commerce and simply will and cannot compete with existing operations.
Soon to add insult to injury a Mobile station will be opening the largest convenience stores in the New England with separate gasoline and diesel fueling decks. A deli and a place to eat with a outside deck. The land borders the town line of Northfield…. in tax free New Hampshire. No gasoline tax revenue for Massachusetts and no property tax revenue for Northfield.
Have Questions?
How can I get involved?
Make a commitment to attend the annual town meeting and vote down excessive taxation articles. Join the debate.
Who in the town should I contact with property tax concerns?
Contact the town tax assessor’s office
What if my tax bill went up significantly?
You can apply for an abatement to the board of assessors.
Looking for more information or if you want to get involved?
Contact us through the button below or through our contact page