One can't stay in the dumps long because, before you know it, more big issues loom.

For those who haven't been paying that much attention, Chatham is considering building an old-time sewer system that will cost over $300 million. For those who thought the Community Center was a Taj Mahal, we can't imagine what you would compare this gigantically costly system to.

Today the proponents start getting serious at the Selectmen's Meeting at 4:

Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles
• Betterment Discussion W. Hinchey
• Article 14 – Wastewater R. Duncanson
Ballot Question – Wastewater R. Duncanson

The problem of nitrogen infiltration in embayments and other bodies of water from wastewater and other sources has apparently been under study for years. Other Cape towns are looking at similar problems.

What's unclear is how much study has gone into less expensive solutions using state-of-the-art technology to deal with the problem. It's also not clear to what extent taxpayers are fully aware of the costs involved. For each household they have to be staggering. Some sense of the costs per taxpayer and water user may be conveyed at today's meeting.

But the beginning is at hand. Town Manager Hinchey will lay out his strategy at today's Selectmen's Meeting. He apparently intends to start small with a bond issue for just a few million dollars, then another one for a larger amount somewhat later on. Before you know it, you're committed to this huge system and its costs.

There clearly is a problem. Is this the most cost-effective solution? Is the system being recommended aimed only at dealing with environmental problems or are there other goals involved?

Now that the spending of real money is at hand, it's time to pay attention.

Town Meeting in May may be the only time taxpayers will have a real chance to examine the costs and alternatives and purposes of this very expensive system before voting for the first round of bond financing.

Attend or watch the Selectmen's Meeting at 4 at Town Hall or Channel 18.