My husband and I have our own septic system in Deerfield. Our system cost us over $20,000. Last year, when I first heard that non-sewer users would pay 25 percent of the cost of rehabilitating South Deerfield’s deteriorated sewer plant, I was strongly against it. Why should I pay a penny towards this sewer district that had been under-paying for decades! Fuhgetaboutit!
So why have I converted to working hard for this sewer project this year?
1. I don’t want raw sewage spilling into the Connecticut River. I love our Earth, and I don’t want to see more pollution spoiling it.
2. I don’t want to pay my share of fines for a bad sewer system, and then also have to pay my share for a hurriedly repaired plant, because the state or the feds made us do it quickly.
3. I accepted that that is the law in our town — sewer users pay 75 percent, septic users pay 25 percent.
4. I realized that I don’t squawk about paying my share of taxes for our schools, our police department, our library — because I recognize that they are all our shared community services, and they all need a functioning sewer system. I live in a community. We hold things in common.
5. When I looked at the actual dollar figures for my 25 percent, they really were not high at all! For example, paying $8 a month was reasonable for me.
6. I really trust that our Selectboard, along with other advisors, will continue to be open and transparent about the whole process. And, I trust they will continue to reduce costs as much as possible and yet end up with a good rehabilitated functioning plant.
Given all the above reasons for my conversion, I will vote yes on Sept. 9.
Ava Gips
Deerfield