Letters

To the Editor:

I will never claim to be an engineer but after reviewing the city topography and the strategy for this curb and gutter plan, it doesn’t appear to make sense. While 100 + old trees are being removed, lowering property values, it wouldn’t solve the issue of flooding in yards. It may move water down the street faster and front yards like on 10th may drain into the street, but what about the properties in the rest of the town that are graded lower than the street level? Word has it that an amendment is being tossed around to now include Alma and Oak streets at the bottom of the runoff. Two years ago, when we had a downpour of four inches, there was no flooding, but what did happen was the lift station couldn’t keep up. I think a better, cheaper and less invasive approach to this would be to install culverts where needed and maintain those. Also, an improved lift station would be in order. People can’t afford up front property frontage costs, additional taxes and sewage removal costs, not to mention the county now wanting property owners to pay the brunt for upgrading roads and bridges! Dying and taxes, the only two constants.

-- Tod Gohl, Ipswich