Once again the North Shore is being asked to bear the burden for tall increases despite the fact the legislature acted last year to prevent any further toll increases until a comprehensive study of the toll system was undertaken.

In January of 2002, the Tobin Bridge toll was increases from $1 to $2. Now there is a move by the Massachusetts Port Authority to raise the toll to $3, putting it in line with the tolls charged for the harbor tunnels.

Members of the North Shore legislation delegation are strongly opposed to this plan, and are urging local elected officials to join them in boycotting a Massport hearing on the toll increase scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at North Shore Community College.

In a letter State Senators Thomas McGee and Frederick E. Berry said, “We will boycott the hearing…Why should we participate in this farce while Massport defiantly raises the taxes for our constituents for the second time in 24 months?”

Enough is Enough. The residents of the North Shore have been paying for the Big Dig for too long, and it is time Massport realizes this and adjusts it.

The people of the North Shore should not be penalized because they live on the North Shore.

However, we are urging elected officials and residents to attend Monday’s meeting to let Massport officials know you have had enough with the toll increases instead of simply refusing to attend.

If nobody shows to the hearing what is to stop Massport from saying there was no opposition from the North Shore at the meeting.