- By Dan Veaner
- Opinions
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As the sewer drama has progressed, many good points have been made, pro and con, by a lot of people. Probably the most compelling point against it is the potential cost. If it costs the 'worst case scenario' of $848 per year just about everyone agrees it would be too much. Some people fear losing their homes or businesses, many expressed fear of not being able to afford to retire here when the time comes. I don't have any problem with arguments against the sewer, or for it. Open, honest public discourse is good. If the sewer passes, it will be a better project because of it.
But accusations of Town officials ramming the project down the throats of the community and trying to sneak the project into existence, or conspiring to give developers an advantage at the expense of residents don't match the facts, and insult people of good will who are trying to do the best they can for their community.
This project has been in the making for many years. Over the past two years it has taken shape as the sewer committee has traversed many obstacles. All the meetings have been open to the public, though few have attended any of them. I've only seen one or two other non-committee members in a year and a half of attending these things.
At the beginning of September the 'Public Information' phase began. Now that there is something to talk about, the public has been invited to a series of meetings and open houses to learn about it. While the Board could have conducted one hearing and then voted to form a sewer district, they have scheduled four months of meetings so they can gather input from the public and answer questions that arise.
It seems to me they have done that in good faith. No decision has been made to form the district, and the earliest that decision is likely to be is the December 20 Board meeting. I've sat in on almost every sewer committee meeting since the Star began publishing, and I can tell you that the discussion in recent meetings revolves around getting answers to questions people have raised in public sessions, letters, and phone calls. Some of that involves going back and doing more research. The Town asked the County Health Department to gather statistics on failing and 'compromised' septic systems that will be shared with the public when the results are collated. Some has resulted in changing the plan, as the committee did when they extended the 'hook up window' from five to ten years.
I suppose if you are a public official you have to expect a little slander slinging every once in a while. But if you're going to throw stones, it makes sense to me to have proof that something is not right. Town officials have repeatedly encouraged residents to come to Town meetings, which are public, and even to observe sewer committee meetings which can be a bit dry, no pun intended, but the ones I've attended haven't hinted at any conspiracy to force the sewer on an unwilling public.
I prefer a gentler approach. Ask the question, see if it is answered. Be involved, get the facts, then vote. As far as I can tell, the Town Board is answering the questions as best they can, openly and honestly. Even if they vote to form the district, the public will have an avenue to vote it down if that is the will of Lansing residents.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I live outside of the proposed sewer district and have no personal stake in its success or failure beyond the stake all Lansing citizens have in the ongoing development of our town.)
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