Letter: More compassion needed on overdue taxes

Published: 01-29-2024 4:48 PM

Reading the article about the city taking properties for back taxes, I am struck that as much as we hear about how the city is trying to deal with a homeless problem, here we are adding to the homeless population for a relatively small amount of money, from the folks who can least afford it. It seems lacking in compassion and that is contrary to what I think of Concord.

Charging 8% and then 16% on overdue accounts is usury (the average home mortgage is around 7%). When were these draconian rates put in place? Who said 16% is okay? Just because New Hampshire law says you can charge this rate does not mean the city should take it to the max. This feels a lot like punishment, not resolution. I ask the city council to knock it back a notch and work with people to come to a better solution than taking someone’s home from them. We can do better.

Jack Shields

Penacook

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Most New Hampshire homes aren’t ‘aging-ready,’ which is a problem in a rapidly aging state
Celebrating National Ice Cream Day with Richardson’s Farm: ‘Nobody else does what we do’
Don Brueggemann, owner and manager of The Works Café, retires after 30 years downtown: ‘A great run’
Riverbend to close adult mental health housing facility in Concord due to funding challenges
Surplus seller Ollie’s enters New Hampshire, opens in Belmont
Free speech group, residents back Bow parents’ appeal in case involving transgender athletes