Three of four local referendum questions on the Biddeford ballot seek approval to bond for improvements to the city’s infrastructure.
Now that the items are on the Election Day ballot, we hope Biddeford residents will approve these items, which are essential to maintaining and improving the city.
If taxpayers do not invest in the city’s buildings and roads, the growth of the downtown and commercial tax base will stagnate and could disappear altogether. Attracting anyone to an area ”“ whether it’s to open a business, start a family or just to dine or shop ”“ requires easy access through well-maintained roads, attractive and interesting stores and restaurants, or good services like schools and city departments.
Biddeford is well on its way, and approving the $6.47 million bonds for road and building improvements would help ensure infrastructure does not deteriorate.
Bond Question 1 seeks $4 million for road and drainage improvements. The question names West Street, Mile Stretch Road and Granite Point Road for repairs, and Southgate Avenue, Ocean Spray Avenue and Cole Road/Edwards Avenue for drainage and storm water management improvements.
While $4 million sounds like a lot, many municipal budgets include hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars for road improvements. Maine winters and wet springs deteriorate asphalt, and repairs and repaving are just a fact of life for the region. Highway managers in area municipalities do their best to prioritize and create long-term paving plans to spend funds wisely. Putting the money into these improvements will help keep the city on track with its paving and keep the areas in good working condition.
Bond Question 2 seeks $2 million for sewer separation and improvements on Elm Street. The city is required to conduct this separation in accordance with federal and state regulations. The city has already spent millions on this project and it is ongoing. In addition to being required to make the changes, sewer upgrades are important for development so businesses or residential buildings can expand without taxing the system.
Bond Question 3 seeks $470,000 to make improvements to roofs at the Public Works Department, the J. Richard Martin Community Center and the Rotary Park Teen Center. The smallest of the three bond items, these funds would have the least impact on taxpayers and could save them much more in the future. Water intrusion ”“ often caused by leaky roofs ”“ accounts for a whole host of problems in buildings, including mold and poor air quality as well as weakening a buildings’ structure.
While $6.47 million may be hard to swallow, money needs to be put into the city’s assets so they continue to be assets. If voters continue to put off improvements, infrastructure will continue to deteriorate and much more money will be needed in the future.
We urge a yes vote on these bonds, and hope residents of Biddeford will invest in their city at the ballot box on Election Day.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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