FUD - Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. It is by far the oldest, and even today, the most used sales tactic to invoke a desired response.  Our most recent example of this is Article 3, the proposed sewer treatment facility being thrust upon property owners of Rockport.

Fifty-two million dollars for a town of 3,000 is an enormous sum of money.  It is even more significant when looking at just how many homes and businesses are actually going to utilize this golden latrine.  For a total of less than 600 homes and businesses, (a number higher than current reality), the amount of money is $86,667 each.  As a resident and business owner in Rockport, it is staggering and infuriating.

At the current time, those connected to the public sewer system pay roughly four times water for wastewater - four times! So, in other words, if a water bill is $100 in a quarter, the sewer bill is roughly $400. Of that amount, currently the Town of Rockport takes HALF, for what is claimed to be “debt relief”.  This is without the $52 million residents of Rockport are being asked to spend.  Only in the world of make believe can an additional $52 million expense cost “less”.  

The question should not be, “should the town of Rockport build it’s own stand-alone $52-million dollar sewer system”, but rather, “why is the Town of Rockport unable to come to a resolution with Camden for a self-created problem”. 

Short paying bills, (which is what was done when presented with the sewer bill from Camden), never leads to resolution and in fact creates animosity.  Why are people we have elected unable to negotiate with a neighboring town, like reasonable, rational adults, and come to agreement? This inability to amicably communicate is an enormous issue that needs immediate attention. 

The problem is at the heart of the request that we spend $52 million - a figure we know is only going to increase due to the very nature of government spending.

The economies of scale and benefits are enormous in shared public-infrastructure systems.  We already see this in our collaborative efforts with our schools, water, and police.  No, a sewer system should not be created solely by one small town of 3000 people and for fewer than 600 connections at the cost of $52 million. 

The Rockport Select Board’s desired response wanted on Article 3 is frankly farcical.  The answer is a definitive NO.  Any new sewer facility must be with our neighbors; it is the only logical solution. 

Jason Haynes, of Rockport, is owner of RAYR wine and cheese