To The Editor:
It was disturbing to read the apparent anger directed at our Waitsfield Select Board concerning the approval of an anonymous gift of $100,000 in support of the Farm Stand property for a sorely needed new town hall. Added were nasty remarks directed at the individual who donated and chose not to be identified. It still is a free country, and I would not be happy for Waitsfield to lead the way to changing that wonderful fact.
The fact that a government grant of $750,000 was also earmarked for a new building on the Farm Stand property would bring the approximate cost of a town hall that we can be proud of to somewhere near $350,000. There are others who desire moving the town government into the old Methodist Church property, costing close to $1 million while adding a large additional tax burden upon all of us who live in Waitsfield.
Can we stop the nasty remarks and look at the reality of the issues involved? We need to move our crowded town hall operation out of our library that needs the vacated space for its own records and book storage. The church building is historic but has four tenants who would have to be evicted along with a cost and much needed carpentry adjustments to closely, but with certain reservations, fit the needs of offices and meeting space for approximately 50 people. A new building would be designed to fit all those needs, one that we all could be proud of while serving the public in a way that is efficient and effective.
On October 22, there will be another and hopefully final vote that should decide this important step for the town of Waitsfield. Waitsfield residents, it is your duty and responsibility to get your vote counted for the most responsible answer suitable for the welfare and future of us all – financial and effective. My vote is for a new building on the Farm Stand property. Please join me.
Gene Scarpato
Waitsfield
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