To the editor:
As you are all aware, on May 20, the budget and bond vote for the Pelham public school system will take place. Once again, we are seeing an approximate 4% increase in the property-tax levy.
In addition to this increase, we are being asked to vote on four proposals related to infrastructure improvements and enhancements to student well-being and education in Pelham. However, should we exceed the $65 million in available credit, this could create further financial strain for Pelham households.
In my 25 years living in Pelham, I have never seen a school budget fail to pass. As we know, the budget makes up the largest portion of our annual taxes. We also know that Pelham continues to have one of the highest tax rates in Westchester County. A key reason for this is the absence of local industry to help shoulder the tax burden. Another unique and challenging aspect is that Pelham is one of the few towns in the county that annually assesses properties at fair market value.
This system disproportionately impacts long-term residents—many of whom no longer have children in the school system but have contributed to its support for decades. In truth, these escalating taxes are driving away the very individuals who helped build and sustain our community. I count myself among them.
The past 25 years in Pelham have been the most rewarding of my life since leaving New York City, largely because of what this town has offered. Many of us who feel deeply connected to Pelham are now being pushed out—not by choice, but by financial necessity.
It’s not only long-time residents who are affected. Households with children currently in the school system are also struggling to keep up. Imagine having high school students preparing for college while simultaneously facing the prospect of moving due to rising taxes. I personally know families who’ve had to make that painful decision.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I strongly urge the board of education to consider how these ongoing increases are impacting the very residents who want to stay here. We must also think about the broader implications for home resale. As taxes rise, we risk pricing ourselves out of competitiveness. Even though housing inventory is currently low, that will eventually change. When it does, Pelham’s high taxes could lead to slower sales and declining demand.
It is truly unfortunate. There is a community of long-time residents who love this town deeply and want to remain here. But we are being forced to leave.
Al Sassoon
263 Corona Ave.
Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the members of the Pelham Board of Education and the Pelham Examiner.
Shaun Breidbart • May 16, 2025 at 5:17 pm
That properties are assessed at market instead of some random fraction of market has nothing to do with the actual amount of taxes you pay.
People here are complaining about their taxes going up without looking at the real cause of the problem:
Too much stuff has been neglected for too long.
Or, put another way:
Your taxes should have been higher the past thirty years, because these things should have been addressed long ago. Had they been addressed years ago, we wouldn’t be seeing the necessity to fix stuff now.
It’s almost like you didn’t buy new tires when you needed them, and now your car has crashed in the snow.
Emily Pauley • May 16, 2025 at 5:38 am
To answer your question, the max property tax value (for me) is probably close to what private school cost in the city. Part of the reason we picked Pelham is that the education would be excellent and I see my property tax as a form of tuition – instead of paving private school fees I’m getting two kids for the price of one private school bill.
Steven Shekane • May 16, 2025 at 11:01 am
And for those residents who do not have children in the school district, like Dr. Sassoon, they are being priced out of their own homes and community due to out of control tax increases. Retirees on a fixed income find it extremely difficult to remain in Pelham.
This dynamic has made Pelham a transient community and many of our elected leaders actually have no incentive to make smart, long-term decisions because they too leave the community. Take a look at the number of school board members over the past 15 years who no longer live in Pelham.
Lida DeVino • May 14, 2025 at 11:07 am
I totally agree with you on all points … when my husband and I bought our home 37 years ago our taxes were $5,800 a year … I thought at the time how high could they possibly go … well now they are well over $30,000 a year. The town can not keep going to the same well … soon it will run dry. I am sure the bond will pass. All the money goes to the school system while our parks are a mess, Fifth Avenue is a complete disgrace , our streets are in need of repaving and the Four Corners is also less than eye appealing …look at Bronxville, Scarsdale, Rye
the towns are beautiful… Pelham needs to find a balance…everything can not just be about the school budget. It is about the Towns as a whole.
Harriet Smith • May 15, 2025 at 4:06 pm
A lot of us are going to vote against all those measures. Every single one. So, what about the state cap at 2 percent? I think if the folks in this town vote down all those bills then the school board will have to come back and draw up a reasonable plan with a reasonable budget. I moved here 17 years ago…school taxes 13,000 now 23. More than doubled in 17 years. We don’t get the salt break. Literally half our income goes to taxes. Its just not responsible.