Letter to the Editor: Town Can't Afford Library Project

My fellow Grafton voters: 

I am writing this letter to ask every voter to vote on Tuesday, Dec. 13 on the debt exclusion question. I am a selectman in Grafton but my comments in this letter are mine and are not reflective of the board.

We set a new tax rate of $14.13 per thousand-valuation on Tuesday, Nov. 15. This means that an average household in Grafton valued at $337,700 will have a tax bill increase of $238 in comparison to 2010’s bill. Most of this increase is from the high school borrowing. 

We still have to borrow $9 million more in the near future for the high school.  Other borrowing on the horizon, if approved by you the voters, includes $7 million for energy improvements, $9-11 million for a new Highway Department building, $10 million for road improvements and, of course, $11 million for the library. This is a grand total of $46-48 million more in possible borrowing. 

We were told at the Town Meeting in October that the library would cost $74/year for the average home for 20 years. My problem with this is Grafton historically funds $4, $5 and $6 million projects for 10 years, not 20. Changing to a 10-year borrowing period increases the yearly tax to a range of $125-150/year just for the library. 

All of our recent buildings except the high school ($72 million) have been 10-year borrowing periods. Why would we change our practice now? In fact, in a recent memo from the Finance Committee to the Board of Selectmen, they said “The Committee has significant concerns with borrowing of 20 years. It is preferable to stay within a 10-year borrowing period. Borrowing for shorter terms minimizes the interest cost to taxpayers” (Nov. 15, 2011 memo).

I am opposed to the library project at this time for financial reasons. I do not believe we should fund another large project at this time with the new high school, police station, fire station, and school modular units at the middle school.  Perhaps the Library Trustees should look at moving the children’s room to Nelson Park in North Grafton, freeing up space within the center library. There are always alternatives to be considered besides $11 million additions to be used by a limited few.

In closing, I urge you to vote on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The October vote was carried by two votes, so every vote really does count and it only takes a few minutes out of your day.

Peter Adams