Editor,
I watched the meeting where Mr. Berry mentioned investing in a generator for the water treatment plant that would pay for itself in two or three years. He has mentioned several times about the need for our own testing to save money and the benefits of buying in bulk chemicals for the treatment plant. These are investments the city can’t make now, but they’ve been moved up the list in case the city finds money.
Our mayor also mentioned his one percent sales tax idea and the council table agreed to put it on the ballot so they must agree with him. Seems reasonable. He wants to address two large unmet needs. That’s a bold step. And how else can it be done? Do we want to fix things or not? Compare the status quo with what a one percent tax until 2026 would do. I think the town would be able to buy a generator and set up a lab and some other things, sidewalks, maybe.
The sales tax might seem like a shock to the system, but maybe a jolt is required to get going again. Spending and investing are different.
Ben Norton