To Rockport and Camden citizens,

There have been recent letters stating that it is all Camden’s fault that the two towns can’t agree on wastewater.  As in most disputes, there are two sides. Following are a few other points to consider:

First, there was a 30-year mutually agreeable interlocal wastewater agreement between Rockport and Camden that expired in 2020.  Based on a flawed analysis by Rockport’s engineers, Rockport stopped paying Camden’s wastewater bills to us in 2022.  Not surprisingly, Camden sued.  As of now, the lawsuit has not been settled. Reasons for that abound on both sides of the arch.

Second, proponents of a Rockport-only system frequently site a system cost of $33,000,000.  That cost ignores the additional debt service cost of $18,000,000 over the 30-year life of the note.  The total cost to Rockport is $51,000,000+, which cost is detailed in Article 3 on the June ballot.  How’s THAT for lowering your wastewater bills?

Third, proponents argue that a yes vote doesn’t preclude eventual wastewater cooperation with Camden, conveniently ignoring the fact that a yes vote on Article 3 gives town officials the green light to formalize the bond and to start spending on engineering and site acquisition costs.

I could go on; however, before Rockport takes on such an unprecedented large debt, I will vote “No” on Article 3 and “YES” on Article 15, and ask that both Select Boards allow for a citizens group consisting of residents from both towns to explore whether or not cooperation is mutually beneficial, as I believe it will be.

Taylor Allen lives in Rockport