Position on the Taxpayer Alert Letter Proposals
I would like to go on record as being opposed to both Mr. Mageau’s and Mr. Picard’s suggestions in their Taxpayer Alert letter. I do not think that the Charlestown Town Council should go to Superior Court to challenge the current State environmental laws on septic systems that protect the environment.  A dialog with State Representatives is a much more reasonable approach than going to court. Also, I am opposed to building a coastal sewer system and treatment plant at taxpayer’s expense.   If you speak with engineers and technical people who build these systems, who will find that there are too many technical, environmental, and financial roadblocks to implementing such a system. 

The Focus Should Be On Helping Citizens Pay for Environmentally Sound Systems
CCA supports the Town’s Low Interest Loan Program that since its inception has loaned over $800,000 to homeowners in need.  We believe that not only should this program be expanded but that the Town  Council consider other solutions to help families who may not be able to finance the replacements of Cesspools.  We suggest looking into a bond to cover the costs of these replacements.

Misleading Statements and Omissions of Financial Facts in the Taxpayer Alert Letter
The letter from Mr. Mageau and Mr. Picard has frightened many citizens who think they must immediately pay $35,000 for a new septic system.  People need to know that is not the truth.  You only need to replace your septic systems when it fails and most systems last 30 years or longer. Also, people should know that the difference between replacing a standard system and a new nitrogen reducing system is $10,000. This is not an immediate crisis for Charlestown. 

What Might the Costs Be to Build a Sewer System and Treatment Plant?
Charlestown does not have to reinvent the wheel or use taxpayer money to get an understanding of what it would cost to pay for a sewer system and treatment plant.
Go on the Internet and read about other coastal communities who face similar environmental concerns as Charlestown.  For instance, Falmouth, and Chatham Massachusetts hired engineers who assessed the cost of putting in coastal sewer systems.   In Falmouth, the average cost ranged from $50,000 to $100,000 per homeowner and in Chatham the total cost was over $300 million for an average cost per homeowner of $150,000. 

In Summary Neither Suing the State or Building a Wide Area Sewer System are Viable Options for Charlestown Taxpayers
I urge the Council to vote against the two proposals contained in the Taxpayer Alert Letter and focus their energy instead on helping the citizens who need financial assistance to replace their septic systems and cesspools.