I read the letter “Where does the buck stop in Montague?” that was published in the Greenfield Recorder on Sept. 27 and couldn’t help but wonder — does the author know there are other costs in Montague?
These include more money to cap the trash yard in Montague; the Hillcrest Elementary School roof; construction costs for sewer and water for the housing and mixed-use proposal for the former Farren Care Center lot (which is town property); roof repair at the Carnegie Library on Avenue A; town employee wages and increases in health insurance benefits; and a new school superintendent.
Other costs include increased heating costs and repairs at the town-owned Shea Theater Arts Center; the Gill-Montague Senior Center; the Montague Parks & Recreation Department; a higher cost of gasoline; snow removal; and repairs at the Montague Clean Water Facility (with a potential new one in 2029).
With matching grants for any of these projects, the other financial burden is on Turners Falls residents, many of whom are over the age of 40 and on Social Security in a town with an average income of $38,000. Some of these projects rely on old IRS information.
Any of these projects will increase real estate taxes and rent — yes, even subsidized rent.
As noted, projects are reimbursed after we spend the money or we incur the other half of grants. Grants seldom cover 100%, and some grants are being cancelled by the federal government. Some businesses are closing in the Airport Industrial Park.
Are we headed into receivership like Orange? Greenfield also struggled with their finances.
You all make your decision. These are accurate facts.
Betty Tegel
Turners Falls