Letter to the Editor: Can Two Wrongs Become One Right?

The following is a letter to the editor:

The Burlington Town meeting will soon have to confront two bad projects.  Fortunately, if the members turn down both requests, we will have the opportunity to ask decision makers for a bit more imagination and a lot more forward thinking next time.

The promises the town a great deal of headache for very little in return.  Canyon sales literature estimates that their 165,000 square foot retail development will generate $1 million in new net tax revenue.  At the same time, the on the same Warrant, which has gone through a much more detailed evaluation process, says that a 445,000 square foot headquarters building will generate $1 million in tax revenues.  I think it is a stretch to think that a Target Store generates anywhere close to as much property tax revenue as a large office building.

While the Canyon project gives us a giant traffic jam with few tax benefits, the proposed new operating site for the and the Recreation Department presents an enormous financial and public health risk.  While the benefits of consolidating these two essential arms of town government are easily listed, the cost of placing tons of fertilizer, road salt, and other chemicals on a cliff overlooking the town’s aquifer, which supplies 55% of our drinking water, is a time bomb waiting to explode on Burlington residents.

Remember the sense of fear and panic just last year when we were deprived of drinking water for a couple of days?  Imagine the cost and dangers of a two or three month shut-off of drinking water if there was a major spillage at the proposed new site.  Or maybe, if the aquifer was polluted, we could all drink from the Mill Pond reservoir – of course, it would only be every other day depending on what side of town you live on.

Two bad projects – one solution.  Deny the requests and tell the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board that we want the new Public Works/Recreation site included in a revised Canyon project.  Use town money to purchase some of the land in the canyon, rather than buy worn out buildings built too close to our aquifer.  We want maximum benefits for the town and minimum risk.

Monte Pearson

Town Meeting Member, Precinct 3

5 Willow Way