To the Editor:
The letter to the editor dated Jan. 31 stating that the cost of the restoration of the EMS building is $1.8 million is grossly incorrect. The cost of the project is over $4.1 million and subject to change orders that could drive the price higher.
It is true that the entire cost of the project does not fall entirely on our town. Between fundraising efforts by the EMS, and state and federal funds, the cost to the taxpayers will be over $2 million before all is said and done.
You have been told this expenditure will not affect your taxes or mill rate. While that is true in the short term, the money comes from the town’s “unassigned balance” or rainy-day fund, which exists from our unspent tax dollars from previous years.
We have used this fund for the past several years to reduce the impact of rising taxes, to the tune of spending $2-3 million dollars a year.
Does this mean I am against the repairing the EMS building … of course not. We need a fully functioning service to meet the needs of our citizens. But does the project need to cost over $500 a square foot?
Simply put, “NO.”
Jeff Parker
Easton
