Regarding the upcoming election for Select Board in Deerfield, and in response to a public statement seeking to make one particular claim tying tax increases to Select Board members. The Select Board doesn’t raise taxes. The citizens vote at Town Meeting to approve projects, like the sewer plant and the library- that raise taxes. Housing values have skyrocketed in the past 5 years which has increased taxes, while the Select Board has actually reduced the tax rate. To imply that one Select Board member is responsible for tax increases is perhaps not a completely informed suggestion. I’ve also learned that Tim Hilchey has assisted in bringing in millions of dollars in grants to pay for much needed improvements to the sidewalks which everyone was complaining about, a beautiful parking lot with high speed EV chargers which bring people to town who spend their money while waiting to charge their EV, and worked tirelessly to get money to rehab the old senior center to make new town offices without spending any local tax dollars. Tim has shown himself to be resourceful and hard working for our town. To blame him for tax increases is a false argument, and does not do justice to a man who has done so much for our town. To quote Tim Hilchey: “I’m a guy who likes to get things done, and I enjoy it.” OK, sounds good to me. And just to be clear — I am grateful that we have two good candidates to choose from, both of whom have served the community. We live in a great place here, and it’s great to see more and more citizens interested and involved.

Joseph Podlesny

South Deerfield