Stimulus money unlikely for Moultonboro soccer field project

"We are in no way implying that we do or do not support the rec project; we’re simply pointing out that the town shouldn’t start spending money it will probably never see."

You can count your chickens before they hatch – it’s what we call estimating. But counting chickens before the rooster arrives at the coop – that’s another matter entirely. We’re talking about the plan to construct playing fields on the Lions Club land on Route 109, and specifically the thought that part of the nationwide $825 billion economic stimulus package, currently under debate in Congress, could go toward the project. Town Administrator Carter Terenzini explained  that the Parks and Recreation Department was looking into doing the project in phases, the first of which would focus on addressing drainage issues on the land and building the fields. The town would likely be asking for $300,000. The second phase would cost $130,000, an amount that Terenzini said they hoped to get through volunteer efforts and parts of the economic stimulus package. As selectman and State Representative Betsey Patten pointed out, the New Hampshire House is already talking about potential projects using economic stimulus funds, and that the more populous places in the state would be the more likely candidates to receive funding. In fact, on Monday morning Gov. John Lynch and the state's congressional delegation met to discuss the stimulus package. A press release quoted Lynch as saying the meeting was an important step in deciding “how New Hampshire can most effectively use funds to protect our most vulnerable citizens and create jobs." That was the sentiment repeated by Senator Judd Gregg and Congresswoman Carol Shea- Porter as well – that these funds need to create jobs and otherwise boost the economy. Improving the state’s infrastructure is high on the list as well. So how does the Town of Moultonboro factor in? It probably doesn’t. The project isn’t going tocreate many jobs or boost the economy. It may improve the well-being of the community, but in the grand scheme of things, it is a trivial project to the rest of the state. We are in no way implying that we do or do not support the rec project; we’re simply pointing out that the town shouldn’t start spending money it will probably never see.

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