To The Editor:
Recently our Town Administrator and the Select Board delivered a letter and survey to the residents of Marion/Beacon/Water/Main streets regarding proposals to bury utility lines on some portions of that route, as part of the road reconstruction project. The letter suggested only those residents (the abutters) would have to pay all the cost of burying utilities, up to $55,000 each. The town asserted that those abutters will receive the “exclusive benefit” of burying the lines. This is a false premise.
Perhaps if the streets in question were quiet waterfront roads in a private beach community only used by its residents, it would be reasonable for those residents to pay to underground the lines. But Marion/Beacon/Water/Main Streets are far from that—they are a central corridor used by a wide swath of Mattapoisett residents.
There are two important benefits to undergrounding the utility wires while undertaking the Mattapoisett road reconstruction project: safety and beautification.
Regarding safety and storm resiliency, the utility lines along Marion/Beacon/Water/Main connect with lines on Neds Point Road, Ship, Oakland, Foster, Freeman, Shipyard, Atkinson, Linhares, North St, Mechanic, Barstow, Church, etc. To claim that the residents of Marion/Beacon/Water/Main exclusively receive the resiliency benefit of burying those wires, the Select Board would have to be in the position to assure those of us residing on those connecting streets that we would not lose power if the very exposed lines on Beacon/Water/Main were knocked down in a hurricane.
And regarding the aesthetics, the residents of the corridor streets are clearly not the only beneficiaries. Hundreds of town residents not living on Marion/Beacon/Water/Main regularly walk and bike (and drive) this route. I’m one, and many weeks I walk and bike this route daily. A week ago we had 1200 runners, from Mattapoisett and many other towns, start and finish under those ugly wires, with scores more lining the streets and cheering. These people are not exercising on the ADA compliant sidewalks on Route 6. We are walking on dirt paths and bouncing over the damaged pavement on Water and Main to enjoy the harbor views.
Beacon/Water/Main streets connect us all to our waterfront, from Ned’s Point, to the town beach, to the wharf and Shipyard Park, to the views off Main Street, and to Goodspeed Island and the bike path. This is a scenic route enjoyed by many.
It is not hard to be a little creative about paying for burying the utilities. Because the project benefits a wide range of residents, it is reasonable for town taxes to pay for some portion. And since the Beacon/Water/Main residents benefit, it is reasonable for them to pay some. But others can pitch in as well. I for one am certainly happy to put my money where my mouth is and contribute voluntarily to the project. And I bet many other residents would do the same. In addition, other municipalities have found creative ways to fund town projects, such as raising donations by selling family name-inscribed bricks for sections of the project’s new sidewalks.
The proposal to underground the wires, particularly (in my opinion) the critical stretch along Water and Main Streets from Beacon to Depot Place, improves our town for everyone. The disingenuous survey sent by the Select Board appears designed to direct respondents to an answer that has already been decided. We can do better. Let’s work together expeditiously to find an acceptable way to pay for it so we can move this project along.
Paul Henderson, Mattapoisett
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