The Valley Reporter - Shouldn't require so much Spin

I urge town voters to support only article 1, relating to the borrowing of money for implementation of the municipal water system. Lack of availability of good consistent water has been an issue for many existing households and businesses and would help property owners whose personal water and wastewater systems would be in violation of new standards in the event of system failure.

It is my opinion that the proposed wastewater system should not be supported by Waitsfield voters. The wastewater system proposed by the town is too costly and is largely needed only for the future development in Irasville as is outlined in the new zoning for this district. For those of us who own businesses and already have a large investment in our systems, it makes little sense to abandon these systems to pay other large connection fees (and for rights of way) and very high usage fees to help subsidize potential new development.

The municipal water and wastewater group has done a good job with its last minute "spin" of marketing their plan. The 1.5 cents cost in large graphics, the use of an absurdly low $200,000 assessed house value and fancy charts and graphs. And you have to love those disclaimers and larger associated costs in much smaller print.

But honestly, this is the type of material that should have been available months ago for discussion, not just a couple of weeks before a vote.

If this proposal was truly sound, it would not require so much "spin" to gain voter trust.

Tom Mehuron
Waitsfield

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