Thumbs down to the City of Biddeford for failing to collect the $50,000 annual payment from the University of New England since 2008. This fee was negotiated in 2003 to be paid annually in lieu of taxes, to help cover city services to the school, and it was agreed upon with the expectation that it would be enforced. Unfortunately, the city dropped the ball in collecting this fee for the past two years and is now finding out that it could really use the money. The problem is, since it’s been two years since the money was collected, now the city and UNE must renegotiate how to handle any back payment. Hopefully, this negotiation process will lead to a discussion on how much UNE should be contributing toward police and fire service as well as trash pickup. The school is not obligated to pay, and it does help subsidize the bus system, along with other contributions, but it makes sense for UNE to pay something for the use of city services. We hope in the future the city follows through on its revenue plans.
Thumbs down to the Dyer Library/Saco Museum’s request for an additional $50,000 in funding from the city in the upcoming budget. In strong financial times, it’s easy to see how more funding would be warranted at the library and museum, which are both important hubs of the community. This year, however, most cities and agencies are experiencing budget cuts. The library and museum will be lucky to be flat-funded next year, much less get an increase. In recent years, nearly everyone has seen staff cuts, pay freezes or cuts, more work, fewer supplies and less support ”“ and the library and museum are no exception. While we sympathize with them and would urge the city to continue funding both entities at their current rate, we cannot suggest that the council put a higher tax burden on its citizens ”“ most of whom are also struggling ”“ by adding funding for these two entities at this time.
Thumbs up to Ryan Chambers of Waterboro, who took quick action to call firefighters when he saw smoke coming from a barn April 22 and helped to prevent a major fire. By being alert and considerate of his fellow man, Chambers helped to save the lives of several livestock and keep the fire from spreading to the attached family home. Fire department officials have applauded Chambers and his action should be a reminder to all of us of our responsibility to simply look out for one another.
Thumbs up to the Town of Limington for choosing to fund a contract deputy sheriff. This deputy will spend 40 hours per week working in Limington only, rather than having the town depend solely on the overstretched coverage of the greater York County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Maurice Ouellette has said the YCSD is operating with half the number of deputies as recommended by national studies, which sometimes makes it tough for them to get out to calls in a timely manner, depending on which end of the county they are located at the time. Having their own contract deputy, as Arundel and Waterboro do, will allow that person to build relationships and get to know the town, which will also improve police coverage. With the help of a grant to get the program started, the town is making a wise investment in keeping its residents safe.
Thumbs up to the proposal in Old Orchard Beach to downsize the plans for a skatepark, which will allow it to become a reality sooner. It will be better to have a small skatepark than nothing at all, so we hope the Skatepark Committee agrees to reconsider their original vision. The town is not in a position to contribute more money to this effort and the youth leading the effort will have a hard time raising $90,000 from their current funds of $36,000. We agree with OOB High School senior Eric Santos, who is a skatepark committee member, that a smaller park will generate interest and more money can be raised while skaters enjoy that park, which will lead to expansions in the future.
Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.
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