To the editor:
I am very concerned about the recent announcement in the Star-Herald regarding SAD 1 purchasing additional land adjacent to the school farm.
The spokesperson for SAD 1 administration pointed out to the reporter the breakdown of the costs of acquisition, which indicated the city of Presque Isle would be responsible for roughly $110,000 of the $150,000 cost. They failed to speak of the ongoing and perpetual costs to Presque Isle citizens. Because the property will be removed from the tax roll, Presque Isle citizens will be paying each and every year. The first year it will cost whatever the current taxes are on the property. In future years, our real costs could be as much as $100,000-plus as the land could provide good house lots for development. How many houses at $2,500 to $4,000 each in taxes (per year) can be placed on 34 acres? That potential income will be lost forever!
The article rightfully implies the generosity of the current owners for allowing us to use the property. We should show our appreciation by thanking and acknowledging them, not by paying what may be the highest per acre cost for farmland in the history of Aroostook County. The land needs to be developed for housing as the current owners intended, where it can be taxed appropriately to contribute to the ever-increasing costs of operating our schools and city.
While we are providing environments for our children to learn farming skills, we should also provide proper fiscal direction and let them learn and appreciate the benefits of spending within one’s means. On the same page this article appeared, SAD 1 is asking all citizens to accept a $798,000 increase in our budget for next year. We don’t need to tack on another $150,000 to that very large sum. There are few people who wish to have their taxes increase during these challenging times.
Why has this been dropped on us one week before the school budget meeting? Could it be to create the impression of offering public scrutiny while giving insufficient time for public discourse? It would have been much better and more genuine to have notified the citizens of all communities when this concept was first proposed.
If this is a good idea now, it should be a good idea later after the citizens have opportunity to shed the light of contemplation on it. Let us all buy some time and reject this proposal at the budget meeting at Presque Isle High School on May 14 at 7 p.m. I am told it will be a separate paper ballot and will not be part of the overall budget. Please come to the meeting.
Chuck Johnston
Presque Isle
