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Community Corner

Vote Against the Sale of Bethel's Water

Dear Residents of Bethel,

We have a very important vote on Thursday, 18-July-2013.  Please consider the following when you go to the polls.  I urge you to vote no.

10 Reasons to Vote AGAINST the sale of Bethel Water

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This is one of the most important decisions Bethel will ever make.  We should not make it until all information is known and voters concerns have been address.

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1.   The contract has already been executed, and we cannot make any amendments which will address concerns raised by the voters of Bethel at Public Hearings and the Town Meeting.  If we approve the current agreement our water is gone forever.

 

2.   There was no competitive bidding process.  It’s hard to believe that Bethel’s water system and ~370 acres of associated land are only worth $7.2 million.  (We just completed a $10 million library.)

 

3.   A large portion of the $7.2 million must go into escrow and can be taken back by Aquarion for “technical and legal expenses”.  This has not been explained clearly.

 

4.   Alternative options have not been presented to the voters for review, evaluation, discussion or debate.

 

5.   The proposed agreement would sell our water system at cost without consideration of further revenue.  ($2.3 million debt + $4.6 million in infrastructure inprovements = 6.9, add the additional cost for labor and we are at $8 million).  In the last fiscal year the water system had a net income of ~$51,000.

 

6.   Returning our land has NO guarantee.  In fact it is at the sole discretion of Aquarion. What if Aquarion is sold to another company?

 

7.   Elected Officials did not ask or listen to what the people of Bethel want and/or expect for their water delivery system.  That is, what are the rate payers willing to pay to maintain ownership

 

8.   Aquarion did not outline a clear plan for addressing the contaminate issues.

 

9.   The Public Utilities Commission has not done a comprehensive long-range plan for Bethel’s public utilities needs.  This too should be vetted by Bethel voters.

 

10. The rate estimates presented at the public hearing were incorrect, and the numbers used in the Woodcock letter are not consistent.

 

11. The current condition of the infrastructure is unknown or has not been presented. (Schedule 1.1.3 Description of Assets & Schedule 3.14: Condition of Assets-Blank)

 

(There are more reasons…)

 

Finally, Bethel’s elected officials did not follow a traditional democratic process that respects the voters of Bethel’s Town Meeting form of Government.  We should be as concerned about this aspect.

Shani Burke Specht
Bethel Resident

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