Trends Affecting the Future of Sandwich
There are four trends facing Sandwich
It's long been known that the quality of life on Cape Cod is dependent on protecting the environment and insuring the Cape's water quality. Because of the high concentration of septic systems on Cape Cod, any development, which would increase the commercial tax base, is contingent on finding wastewater solutions that do not add to the nitrogen and phosphorous loading that impact our coastal ecosystem.
It's been reported that the Town is working with three other Upper Cape towns on a solution that would utilize the Joint Base Cape Cod for a long-term solution; however, it's also been reported that such a solution could take 10 or more years to clear regulatory hurdles and implement.
Technological advancement in decentralized wastewater treatment facilities could provide interim solutions that would permit development of our commercial tax base with connection to the "long-term" solution, when competed.
As your Selectman, I will use my technical knowledge and experience in working with the private and public sector to seek economically feasible opportunities to meet our wastewater needs. It's critical that we protect or environment; and it's equally import that we diversify our tax base to reduce the burden on our residential property owners.
Let's demonstrate our willingness to listen; and act in a manner that doesn't continue to "kick" finding solutions into the future.
The beaches and coastal marshes are a vital part of our way of life and our tourist industry. As a board member of the Trustees of Sandwich Beaches, I am well acquainted with the specific goals we as a Town need to achieve to protect our 7 mile coastal resource and the beaches, marshes, tidal creeks, and habitats, therein. They include structuring the Olde Harbour Channel that connects our tidal creeks to Cape Cod Bay. A more permanent entrance will allow sand to again migrate back and forth from west to east.
As a Town we demonstrated our willingness to save our beaches; and as your Selectman, I will listen and advocate for continuing to protect this important asset.
While today is another time, I remember all to well how back in 1999 we envisioned a significant revenue boost would be forthcoming, once Mirant increased its power generation capacity. Unfortunately, the energy market collapsed; and so did tax relief for residential property owners.
Today is a different time; but we're still dependent on residential property owners for the majority of our tax revenue. The Town has just negotiated a payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement with NRG, which would provide significant additional revenue for the Town, once a new unit is constructed and on line.
As your Selectman, I will advocate for increasing revenue by diversifying our tax base. It's only prudent; it's time for action.
Under the leadership of our Town Manager, Bud Dunham, our Town has done a remarkable job with a limited amount of resources. As your Selectman, I will work with the Board of Selectmen and Bud to look for ways to increase efficiency and pursue additional revenue sources to meet our Town's needs.
We have some important decisions to make and to build action plans around in the next three years. In addition to the three issues above, they include:
What do you think is the most important issue that we address? Send your thoughts to wburbs@comcast.net
WASTEWATER
Addressing this one element alone will open options for the Town, that are currently not feasible.It's long been known that the quality of life on Cape Cod is dependent on protecting the environment and insuring the Cape's water quality. Because of the high concentration of septic systems on Cape Cod, any development, which would increase the commercial tax base, is contingent on finding wastewater solutions that do not add to the nitrogen and phosphorous loading that impact our coastal ecosystem.
It's been reported that the Town is working with three other Upper Cape towns on a solution that would utilize the Joint Base Cape Cod for a long-term solution; however, it's also been reported that such a solution could take 10 or more years to clear regulatory hurdles and implement.
Technological advancement in decentralized wastewater treatment facilities could provide interim solutions that would permit development of our commercial tax base with connection to the "long-term" solution, when competed.
As your Selectman, I will use my technical knowledge and experience in working with the private and public sector to seek economically feasible opportunities to meet our wastewater needs. It's critical that we protect or environment; and it's equally import that we diversify our tax base to reduce the burden on our residential property owners.
Let's demonstrate our willingness to listen; and act in a manner that doesn't continue to "kick" finding solutions into the future.
BEACHES
We've made great progress in the past three years in addressing this key issue; and while it appears that a long term solution involving the Army Corp of Engineers is on the horizon, there are important needs between now and then to insure that the Town maintains the progress made thus far.The beaches and coastal marshes are a vital part of our way of life and our tourist industry. As a board member of the Trustees of Sandwich Beaches, I am well acquainted with the specific goals we as a Town need to achieve to protect our 7 mile coastal resource and the beaches, marshes, tidal creeks, and habitats, therein. They include structuring the Olde Harbour Channel that connects our tidal creeks to Cape Cod Bay. A more permanent entrance will allow sand to again migrate back and forth from west to east.
As a Town we demonstrated our willingness to save our beaches; and as your Selectman, I will listen and advocate for continuing to protect this important asset.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Did someone say taxes?)
We've talked about economic development for many years; and many of our fellow citizens have given considerable time in an effort to intelligently increase our commercial tax base. Now is the time act.While today is another time, I remember all to well how back in 1999 we envisioned a significant revenue boost would be forthcoming, once Mirant increased its power generation capacity. Unfortunately, the energy market collapsed; and so did tax relief for residential property owners.
Today is a different time; but we're still dependent on residential property owners for the majority of our tax revenue. The Town has just negotiated a payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement with NRG, which would provide significant additional revenue for the Town, once a new unit is constructed and on line.
As your Selectman, I will advocate for increasing revenue by diversifying our tax base. It's only prudent; it's time for action.
GOVERNMENT SERVICES (Education; Seniors; Public Safety; Infrastructure; Roads ...)
When choosing a place to live, people look for and expect good schools, excellent police and fire services (public safety), smooth roads, and services to meet the needs of all of its citizens ... young and old, alike.Under the leadership of our Town Manager, Bud Dunham, our Town has done a remarkable job with a limited amount of resources. As your Selectman, I will work with the Board of Selectmen and Bud to look for ways to increase efficiency and pursue additional revenue sources to meet our Town's needs.
We have some important decisions to make and to build action plans around in the next three years. In addition to the three issues above, they include:
- Continued funding for our roads.
- Reaching consensus and creating an action plan with a timeline for the Wing School ... I have some thoughts on addressing the Wing School, that I'll be sharing soon in a separate post!
- Finding resources for building a Senior Center
- Finding resources for replacing the Skate Park we promised
- Supporting the efforts to provide world class education for our youth
... to name a few.
What do you think is the most important issue that we address? Send your thoughts to wburbs@comcast.net
