As we reported earlier, almost all the reader comments at this month's Open Forum are related to the condition of Dorchester's streets. We were pleased to read the comments from Carol Olson, who reports that she attend Monday's village board meeting, along with fellow resident Joyce Karl. Olson wrote that she spoke to the village board and presented photos showing street conditions in her neighborhood.
In her comments, Olson reports: "Two of the board members believe that the town's residents, like themselves, don't want paved streets. One board member supports paving. The other two members seem to be on the fence."
Olson says that she and Karl "will put on their muck boots" and go door-to-door to gather the residents' opinions about what should be done about the street conditions here in town.
According to village board member Lyle Weber, streets will be a key agenda item on the agenda for the April board meeting. The next town board meeting will be Monday, April 5 at 7 p.m. in the Community Building. Weber writes: "Everybody who cares about this topic (for or against) should attend this meeting. Let the board know how you feel, either way."
The Times is on the record. Long ago, we said that our staff supports paving at least some of Dorchester's streets. Over the long term, paved streets would greatly improve Dorchester's quality of life and bring new and improved housing to town, which in turn would generate considerably more revenue for the community and school district.
Paving also makes sense in the short term. In recent years, the Village of Dorchester has budgeted more than $70,000 for maintenance of streets. This figure does not include the cost of employee labor -- and benefits.
Since the days of the "great paving debate of 1979," the Times estimates that the Village of Dorchester has spent roughly $1.65 million on upkeep of gravel roads (not including labor). This is money that could have been better used for permanent paving projects over the past 30 years.
In the end, paved streets make sense if Dorchester residents want their town to thrive in the 21st century. Paved streets are the answer for those Baby Boomers will spend their retirement years here. Paved streets are needed if we want our young people to consider making Dorchester their home in the future.
That's our two cents. We encourage town residents to post their comments here. Or give informed, thoughtful remarks to those who are going door-to-door to gather opinions.
Also, you may cast your vote on what you think should be done with Dorchester's streets in our online poll, located in the left column. As always, Times' staff members will not be participating in the poll.
never understood why we can't pay for streets using an 'all of the above' approach. grants, loans, donations, property taxes, fundraisers, donated labor ... it could happen if we open our minds to the possibilities
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely ridiculous. How can a town of 600+ have streets in this condition? How do you expect to attract new families to the town when this is the kind of care that is shown? No one in their right mind will want to move here, and the people that live here have to consider moving if this is what's expected. Apparently we are waiting until it all melts to do anything, are we going to wait until people start leaving to think about paving too? You decide....check back in 5 years.
ReplyDeleteI hope the blog lets all the comments be heard and not just the ones for paving.
ReplyDeleteeveryone is not for it
To Anonymous who said "everyone is not for paving". What reason do you have to not be for it? The gravel streets make our community look dirty & unkept. It reflects on you as a resident as being lazy & without any pride. Is it the money? At this point no one knows what the cost will be so that can't be it. It's costing you more in taxes right now because no one in their right mind would build a new house on these streets, let alone a bank loan the money. I hope that because you are not for paving that you go out of your way to not drive on paving, that would only be right. I care about this town & want to do what's best for it's continued existence & I feel that paving the entire community is the best for its future.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a lot of misrepresentation out about paving. People are going around telling others what it will cost. The fact is no one knows right now what it will cost or if it will cost anything because nothing has been passed. Nobady can say what it will cost or if there will be help in paying for paving or even what kind of paving there would be it at all. People need to come to the April 5 meeting and get more information.
ReplyDeleteLook at friends two big projects the hospital and the school It seems like everyone is moving out, I don't think I could blame them in this kind of economy, No one has more money for taxes
ReplyDeletefirst they said that the new school would attract people, no it is the new paving...
ReplyDeletebet a dollar neither will attract more.
this town has tons of problems.
maybe the smell from the west on rainy days, or the livestock which is located on top of wells, or the dying mainstreet
as you can see in the picture of our street---it is bad, but it gets worse, it seems the road goes from bad to worse then worser! talk about dirt year round. Let's get real back in 79 it would have been less than 10 grand with interest for our corner lot---what are we waiting for?
ReplyDeletemaybe if we pave people will stop parking in their yards cause there will be a nice curb to drive over.
ReplyDeletePaving, first we need to fix the sewer plant, and need a new water tower, and need sewer system, this is going to take a long time. We need these things fix, before paving. Dont get all in a up roar for something that could take up to 5 years, lets go to the meeting and quit complaning about the roads, its mother nature, things will dry out. Just be patience.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is many lots for people to build new houses anyway, For what this will cost people they will not be building much of a house, If anything I think this will run people out of town!
ReplyDelete