About 25 years ago, the Town of Deerfield adopted a policy that sewer financing would be independent of general town financing. That policy was incorporated into the town bylaws. I personally was instrumental in the adoption of that policy.
The warrant for the April 25 Deerfield Special Town Meeting includes an article that would repeal that policy. Unfortunately I will be out of the country on April 25, and so will not have the opportunity to argue against the repeal.
If I was able to attend the meeting, I would vigorously make that argument.
Many homes in Deerfield are not connected to the sewer system and probably never will be; the cost would be prohibitive. The people who live in those homes, of whom I am one, derive little or no benefit from the sewer system. It is manifestly unfair to force us to pay for it. Prior to the adoption of the policy, we were indeed paying for it dearly through our property tax bills.
Most town services benefit the entire town, such as road maintenance and education. Those that don’t, such as water supply and fire protection, benefit only those who live within the service area of those services. Thus those services have been provided by water and fire districts. Sewer service should follow the same principle, and presently it does. It should remain so.
Paul Abrahams
Deerfield