Letter to SB: Closing CH for 4 coldest months

October 5, 2022
Dear Select Board
In the years I have been in town, the most recurrent theme I have heard is that our taxes are too high.  The Select Board has been fully aware of this and continually makes tough decisions with the taxpayers in mind.  One of these decisions currently pending is whether to winterize the Community Hall for the four coldest months of the year.  As everyone should be aware, fuel costs will be rising significantly this winter, and anything that can help save tax dollars is important.

We heard the argument that closing Community Hall for the winter would trigger a setback in healing our social fabric. Rather than being location dependent, healing  needs to come from open and honest discussions where both sides of an issue can be aired respectfully.  If  winterizing Community Hall makes sense, one way  to avoid  triggering a setback is to demonstrate a true desire to heal by holding these discussions and supporting events at Jacobs Road during that four-month period.

I laud the efforts of the Cultural Council, Select Board, and others to bring the Community Hall to life.  At the same time, I recognize that we need to be able to make practical and common-sense fiscal choices. A good example is the one recently demonstrated by tax-conscious community members in moving the town library at no expense to the town. If winterizing Community Hall would save additional tax dollars, then it is the fiduciary responsibility of the Select Board to see that it is done.  

In closing,  I would like to see us get to the point where we as a community can support decisions based on facts rather than emotion or conjecture.  
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Thank you for your dedication on behalf of our town.
Respectfully,
Pat McGahan
October 4, 2022