Time for SB2 in Moultonborough

Editor, The Citizen: I would like to clarify some of the information in the article regarding the issues in Moultonborough from Saturday's paper.

The $5.5 million is only for the building of the recreation center. It does not include the purchase of the property, or the design and engineering, or the maintenance and operational costs of this 25,000 square foot structure. And when one includes the land purchase and the architectural and engineering for the building, the tab comes closer to $6.4 million.

To respectfully correct Mr. McRae, those voicing their opinion have been many and varied. The select board has made it clear that they "do not want the same people making the same points over and over." The select board also made it clear that they wanted to hear from all sides of the issue. The proponents, on the other hand, have been beating the same drum of "need" as they have from the get-go. No one is challenging the possible need, albeit exaggerated. The challenge has been for fiscal restraint and financial responsibility with our tax dollar.

When a committee takes the 80 percent of the 360 voters (of the eligible 3900) that were present at the late night town meeting, as a mandate to spend nearly $10 million (the costs of the entire wish list, including the six lane swimming pool that has been "taken off the table… for now"), that is tantamount to political "spin." The same people say that since there were 5 comments in the Master Plan Survey (their other mandate, according to them) in support of a dog park, and all were favorable comments, then it would follow "the town is 100 percent in favor of having a dog park." Political spin.

Those that oppose the size of the projects recommended by the RSPT recognize there may be some need for additional space, however; there is also a need for fiscal responsibility toward the taxpayer of Moultonborough. Do we really need to spend $5.5 million on one building, or $180,000 on two outside toilets? This project is riddled with expensive amenities that are not the responsibility of town government to provide at the taxpayers' expense.

It is time to stop the "tomfoolery." Here is yet another example of why now, more than ever, Moultonborough needs to vote for SB2. I urge everyone to learn as much as you can about SB2.

Rick Heath

Moultonborough