Letter To The Editor: 'Vote 'NO' On Multi-Use Path'

Vote “NO" on multi-use path (BALLOT ITEM #5)

Why force pedestrians, children, people in wheelchairs, and bicyclists to travel alongside a busy, dangerous roadway instead of enabling them to travel on an existing organically made trail that citizens created years ago to prevent the need for walking on the busy and hazardous Sport Hill highway. Fixing the existing path is a safer and cheaper option with less liability for the town and is more in keeping with Easton's character.

P&Z dismissed the option of fixing up the existing path off the main road because they perceived that using Aquarian property might not be allowed by them. Then, without asking Aquarian, they went ahead and applied for the two-lane Metropolitan Highway Walkway Grant that requires Easton taxpayers to put up nearly a quarter-million dollars of our own money.

Efforts are already underway to fix the existing path.

Board of Finance Chairman Andy Kachele contacted Aquarian for permission to legally use their land for the existing path to Keller. Aquarian has put this on their next meeting agenda. Members of the community are stepping forward and expressing interest in helping with the tools, equipment, and labor to the fix up the existing pathway. This is who we are. We can make this a great community project that brings Easton together and provides what Easton needs and wants — a safe economical pathway that is in keeping with Easton’s rustic, bucolic character.

The Charette that P&Z conducted on this multi-use walkway revealed a strong public desire to fix the existing path. It also revealed that not only did P&Z want to create this expansive, expensive, and intrusive multi-use walkway to Helen Keller school, but that they plan to continue this walkway system down the other side of Sport Hill Road, continue along Banks to Town Hall, and turn Banks Road into a one-way road to the library, and to Geiser’s Store. Who asked for this elaborate walkway system and who will pay for it?

Over 73% of our budget goes to school education. We are in need of fixing two bridges for which we have grant funding, EMS building repairs ($250,00) or replacement ($1.5 million), necessary funds to replace Helen Keller's roof, and $180,00 for fire department air tank replacement. How much can Easton taxpayers FUND? Is this fiscally responsible spending?

On March 30 at the machine vote or by Absentee Ballot, vote “NO" on Ballot Item 5 (advisory question to spend $249,400 of taxpayer funds for this $1,247,000 million-dollar multi-use walkway). The Board of Finance has, and continues to, investigate resolving this issue in a fiscally responsible way.

June Chiaia-Logie

Rock House Road, Easton