$450,000 for new soccer field?

The BoS meeting tonight @ 7pm will contain a review of warrant articles for the 2009 Town Warrant. A few in particular have gotten the attention of some citizens who have told the MCA they are opposed to resurrecting the already voted down community center.

In brief, the Selectmen will attempt to place an article on the warrant to change the meaning of the Municipal Building Fund so that money can be taken from this fund for other purposes than from which it was originally intended. They would like to see a broad use of the fund to include site planning, equipment, repairs, etc. They also want to use up to $100,000 annually for “emergencies”. We disagree with this. Once a precedent is set, what will stop monies from being drawn from other trust and reserve funds for purposes other than what was intended?  Most of the money proposed to be withdrawn this year is for a soccer field to be designed and built at the Lions Club property as part of a 10-15 year “build out” for a possible community center. This is what voters said no to on Article 9 last year. We understand that the roof of the Town Hall needs major work and probably replacement. Put a warrant article for that purpose. Most of us in town can differentiate the necessity for a new roof vs. the non-necessity of a new soccer field in these difficult economic times.

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MCA