99 citizens of Chatham filed a petition with the Town Clerk Monday asking that the Police Department/Annex project be put on the agenda for the Town Meeting.

In essense, the petition said that some $17 million for this project seemed way too rich and, in any event, because of the collapse in the economy since the Town Meeting last voted on it, this just isn't the time to go forward with the project.

This is not the time for a big new bond issue to drive up the property tax. The taxpayers need a break from property tax increases.

The petition proposes that the best course is to clean the decks, rescind the past authorizations and go back to the drawing board and come back with decent space for the Police Department and for the folks in health, environment, community development, planning, coastal development and conservation. But with the economic darkness that has descended, this is not the time.

Not Now.

The group that had recommended the original PD/Annex project came before the Selectmen tonight and, noting how dramatically the economic situation had changed, recommended that the Town look at an alternative for the Annex people along Route 28 in West Chatham at the former (but renovated) High Tide Restaurant space, which could make more efficient use of space and be less costly for taxpayers. It also might add significantly to the revitalization of that business area.

The Selectmen voted the group the funds needed to develop a floor plan over the next few weeks to see if the Annex personnel can function efficiently in the the High Time space, which wis less expansive than the planned new Annex, at a savings to taxpayers.

Mrs. Norma Avalar rose from the audience to remind the Board that times had changed dramatically since the Town Meeting had voted $17 million for the project. Whether the alternative plan works or not, the point has been made: Even the proponents now feel the original plan was too rich and, in any event, the 99 backers of the petition (only ten were needed) feel now isn't the time. When the economy bounces back, a new, less costly and more cost-effective plan should be ready for the Annex and the Police Department.

But Not Now.

For a copy of the petition and the letter delivering it to the Town Clerk (with copies to the Selectmen), click below.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ms. Julie S. Smith
Town Clerk, Chatham
Town Hall
549 Main Street
Chatham, MA 02633

Dear Madam:

I am filing with you today petitions for a warrant article for this May’s town meeting with respect to the Police Department/Annex Project. Originals of the petitions signed by some 99 registered voters are enclosed.

Since Town Meetings authorized this project, there has been substantial controversy and disagreement concerning the necessity for it, the significant cost of the project and its priority. Now a proposal to site the Annex elsewhere has arisen, which deserves serious consideration. Most important, the severe financial turmoil that has struck the world, nation, state and Chatham since those Town Meetings has led us submitting these petitions to conclude that this is not the time to go forward with the project, which should await better economic times.

We believe the best course is for Town Meeting to rescind the prior authorizations and use the time until the economic crisis has passed to rethink the project in hopes of producing fiscally reasonable alternatives. The town is currently spending almost $1 million per year for the costly and under-utilized Community Center. Adding about $1.3 million a year in debt service for the PD/Annex is too much for taxpayers in these times. Our goal is to for the town to keep the property tax levy from imposing additional financial burdens of any amount on taxpayers, our main concern being resident taxpayers. That is why Chatham Concerned Taxpayers stand for no property tax increase for the operating budget for FY10, no Proposition 2 ½ and no override, a pause on all new capital authorizations and non-emergency capital spending that would impact the property tax levy for FY10 and FY11 and for this fresh start for the PD/Annex project.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click for larger picture.