To the Editor:
I am writing as a concerned citizen, not as a member of the Planning Board, to express my wholehearted support for the Lost Lake Sewer project. I should also note that the Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of the articles that support this project.
It is crucial that Town Meeting voters understand the basic facts of this complex proposal, and why it is important to all residents of Groton, not just those living in the environmentally-degraded Lost Lake area. A list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers has been mailed to every household in Groton. I urge everyone to read this short document before the October 15 Town Meeting. You can also read or download it here.
Remember, right now we have a package of state funding, major participation by Four Corners businesses, a rare green light from DEP for interbasin transfer, and low-interest loans to help residents finance their individual costs for betterment and hookup. We should take advantage of this opportunity now, because it may not materialize again.
If we all agree to support this project, we can convert a dying lake into a prized asset, while protecting the quality of town water for the future.
Sincerely,
Scott Wilson
This article is in fact written by a planning board member – make no bones about it – this is political bullying, in my opinion. Clearly written by someone who does not live in this area nor stands to see his mortgage adjusted to a whopping increase of (a really unknown amounts since there is no cap on the cost, Mr. Wilson). But for the sake of argument, I will go with the estimate of betterment being $17,800 plus interest! That is for those of us who do not live on the lakes and do not have wells or septic systems that are endangering the lake. This in a word, is highway robbery with political overtones. This my fellow citizens of Groton can happen to you over in West Groton – anyone in an area with water or wells or septic may get hit by the planning boards whim.
There is no solid evidence that this system is needed in this area. Period.
(Deb Mendel is Advertising Manager for The Groton Line, and is speaking solely as an individual resident of Groton, not for the web site, which has not taken a position on this project.)
I was at a Lost Lake Sewer Committee meeting a month ago, September 13. The estimated betterment fee was about $15,300. In one month the estimated betterment fee has gone up to $17,800. I shudder to think what the actual betterment fee will be when we (Lost Lake residents) have to actually start paying it. My question to you Mr. Wilson is, will you be paying a ridiculous amount of money for the privelage of having a one and a half inch in diameter pipe running in front of your home?