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Sidewalk project seen as an ‘unprecedented opportunity’
By Dan Billings and Brad Foley
On Nov. 3, the town of Bowdoinham has an incredible opportunity to invest in its infrastructure and to improve the community. Along with the state ballot questions, Bowdoinham voters will be asked to approve the expenditure of up to $133,750 in local funds to match a federal grant of $535,000 for the construction of sidewalks.
If approved by the voters, the funds will be used to build sidewalks throughout the village area of Bowdoinham — making safe and efficient connections between the town office, the credit union, our local stores and Mailly Waterfront Park. The exact route and design will be finalized through citizen input if the referendum question is approved.
The benefits of the project are many. Sidewalks provide people of all ages safe and accessible places to walk. Encouraging physical activity benefits health and getting walkers off the roads improves public safety and allows for better traffic flow. Sidewalks also help foster a sense of community by encouraging people to get out of their homes and to get to know their neighbors.
In addition, this investment in our downturn will make Bowdoinham a more attractive place for residents, visitors and current and prospective businesses.
The federal grant is an unprecedented opportunity for Bowdoinham. The town has never been offered a grant of this size. The town’s proposal was accepted through a competitive process and for every $1 of local funds, Bowdoinham will receive $4 of federal funds to improve the infrastructure of the town. How often does anyone get the chance for a guaranteed 400 percent return on investment?
At the June town meeting, a majority of those in attendance voted down a $350,000 local match for the sidewalk grant. Some residents have asked why the matter is coming to a vote again after being defeated at town meeting. After town meeting, local advocates for sidewalks, including the Bowdoinham Walking, Biking, and Paddling Committee and members of the Finance Advisory Committee, put together a scaled-down sidewalk proposal that took into consideration the concerns raised at town meeting. A petition was circulated and more than 200 signatures were garnered, far more than the minimum needed to put a referendum question on the November ballot.
One concern expressed at town meeting was the borrowing that was proposed to fund the project and the impact that borrowing could have on taxes in the future. Due to the project being scaled down, no borrowing will now be required. Due to conservative budgeting and careful fiscal management, the town of Bowdoinham has approximately $700,000 in the town’s undesignated fund balance — which is effectively the town’s savings account. This is more than necessary for the town’s needs, which allows the local match to be appropriated from funds already on hand — without any borrowing or impact on taxes this year or in the future.
Some have suggested it would be better if the funds were used for road repairs. However, the facts are that this grant comes from federal funds dedicated to sidewalks and if the grant is not accepted by Bowdoinham, it will go for sidewalks in the next town on the list.
Bowdoinham has a terrific opportunity to make a wise investment in our town. We have a chance to make vital improvements that will create meaningful connections between local businesses and community resources. This is our last chance to take advantage of the grant. If the local match is not approved on Nov. 3, the grant will be lost and Bowdoinham will be without sidewalks for the foreseeable future.
We understand that in these tough times, we all must tighten our belts. But years of belt tightening now allows Bowdoinham to invest in our future without impacting taxes. We hope all Bowdoinham voters will join us in voting “Yes” on the one question on the local ballot on Nov. 3.
Dan Billings is chairman of Bowdoinham’s Finance Advisory Committee and Brad Foley is chairman of Bowdoinham’s Walking, Biking and Paddling Committee.
letters@timesrecord.com
If approved by the voters, the funds will be used to build sidewalks throughout the village area of Bowdoinham — making safe and efficient connections between the town office, the credit union, our local stores and Mailly Waterfront Park. The exact route and design will be finalized through citizen input if the referendum question is approved.
The benefits of the project are many. Sidewalks provide people of all ages safe and accessible places to walk. Encouraging physical activity benefits health and getting walkers off the roads improves public safety and allows for better traffic flow. Sidewalks also help foster a sense of community by encouraging people to get out of their homes and to get to know their neighbors.
In addition, this investment in our downturn will make Bowdoinham a more attractive place for residents, visitors and current and prospective businesses.
The federal grant is an unprecedented opportunity for Bowdoinham. The town has never been offered a grant of this size. The town’s proposal was accepted through a competitive process and for every $1 of local funds, Bowdoinham will receive $4 of federal funds to improve the infrastructure of the town. How often does anyone get the chance for a guaranteed 400 percent return on investment?
At the June town meeting, a majority of those in attendance voted down a $350,000 local match for the sidewalk grant. Some residents have asked why the matter is coming to a vote again after being defeated at town meeting. After town meeting, local advocates for sidewalks, including the Bowdoinham Walking, Biking, and Paddling Committee and members of the Finance Advisory Committee, put together a scaled-down sidewalk proposal that took into consideration the concerns raised at town meeting. A petition was circulated and more than 200 signatures were garnered, far more than the minimum needed to put a referendum question on the November ballot.
One concern expressed at town meeting was the borrowing that was proposed to fund the project and the impact that borrowing could have on taxes in the future. Due to the project being scaled down, no borrowing will now be required. Due to conservative budgeting and careful fiscal management, the town of Bowdoinham has approximately $700,000 in the town’s undesignated fund balance — which is effectively the town’s savings account. This is more than necessary for the town’s needs, which allows the local match to be appropriated from funds already on hand — without any borrowing or impact on taxes this year or in the future.
Some have suggested it would be better if the funds were used for road repairs. However, the facts are that this grant comes from federal funds dedicated to sidewalks and if the grant is not accepted by Bowdoinham, it will go for sidewalks in the next town on the list.
Bowdoinham has a terrific opportunity to make a wise investment in our town. We have a chance to make vital improvements that will create meaningful connections between local businesses and community resources. This is our last chance to take advantage of the grant. If the local match is not approved on Nov. 3, the grant will be lost and Bowdoinham will be without sidewalks for the foreseeable future.
We understand that in these tough times, we all must tighten our belts. But years of belt tightening now allows Bowdoinham to invest in our future without impacting taxes. We hope all Bowdoinham voters will join us in voting “Yes” on the one question on the local ballot on Nov. 3.
Dan Billings is chairman of Bowdoinham’s Finance Advisory Committee and Brad Foley is chairman of Bowdoinham’s Walking, Biking and Paddling Committee.
letters@timesrecord.com
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