We have owned a home in Rockport for 36 years and like many other homeowners have seen our taxes over those years increase dramatically. A large portion of those tax increases paid for a new Town Office, three new schools, new library and fire station. These additions to the town increased the quality of life for all residents who can afford to live in Rockport.  But unfortunately many long term residents can not afford these ever increasing taxes.

We are now being asked to approve by far the largest capital expenditure ever considered by Rockport residents to build a new wastewater recovery facility.  Although all Rockport residents will have an opportunity to vote on this $51 million dollar capital project ($33 million construction costs and $18 million interest costs) only those households using the system will be asked to pay for this project. A large commitment on the backs of few.

The WRRF Task Group did a fine job in defining waste water treatment equipment and an installation site. However, they were not tasked with exploring alternatives to building a new wastewater treatment facility like investigating a new agreement with Camden and Rockland, where Rockport’s wastewater is currently processed. 

Unfortunately a past Rockport Select Board accused Camden of overcharging Rockport for their sewer fees, then withheld payments to Camden. This resulted in Camden filing a lawsuit against Rockport for delinquent payments. Rockport has admitted to their mistake. However this activity led to uncomfortable feelings between the two Select Boards.

Recently there have been indications that Camden Town officials are still willing to discuss the possibility of continuing to process Rockport’s wastewater under an agreement which would be  beneficial to both towns. In fact, at the Camden Candidate Forum on Tuesday night, May 14 all four Select Board candidates felt strongly that Rockport and Camden should work together to solve the wastewater issue.

The Rockport Select Board  is rushing into a $51 million dollar project without adequately exploring alternatives. The Select Board should be more concerned about the welfare of the residents who elected them believing that their elected officials would be good stewards of town funds.

I encourage Rockport residents to vote “NO” on Article #3 and “YES” on Article #15.

Bill Freeman lives in Rockport