One down?

Let's put some things in perspective.  

The primary criteria for the use of the former school buildings should be what is best for the town. Nothing else.

Petitions with 200+ signatures aside, the decision on what to do will be one the community as a whole must live with.  ANY USE will have an impact on the town as a whole.  While such impact will have a greater effect on the immediate area in which the buildings are located, the ripple effect on the community in its entirety will not be necessarily gentle.

I am not going to sit here and tap the keys pretending to be an expert on the elderly housing laws or needs. Neither does one have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that with an aging population, less than booming economy, ever increasing taxes and user fees, and lingering effects of the great recession there is a need for senior housing.

Yet when you read a newspaper article stating the present waiting list for senior housing in town is comprised of fifty Fairhaven residents and 175 out of town residents, something of a light bulb does go off in the dimming mind.

I have always believed that, and will continue to believe, every community has an obligation to meet the needs of not only itself, but also the greater good.  That being said, what always causes a bit of chafing is how this community somehow always seems to be expected to carry a disproportionate share of the burden for the greater good.

When over three out of every four persons on a waiting list are not from town, what does that say about the communities that those three out of four are from? It is one thing to help with a burden. It is an entirely different thing to allow it to be shifted to you.

NOTE: This piece is not against the proposed housing project.  If the determination is made that the proposal fits as far as a benefit for the entire town, I am for it.  What I am not for is basing that decision on such a waiting list, or even using that argument as a basis.  

Call it a rant, call it uncaring, call it what you will. I however call it another straw on the camel's back to carry a disproportionate burden for problems that exist in many communities who simply shift the burden elsewhere.  

When you see surrounding communities spend decades and who knows how many dollars fighting proposals, when you read about arguments being made in other communities about not wanting to be another Fairhaven, or pitches to do something like buy land as being a no brainer because the bulk of the money is coming from Fairhaven, highlighting a "need" because more than three out of four applicants on a waiting list are out of town residents just doesn't get my avid support.

If someone out there would tell me that such a project would guaranty to get all the Fairhaven residents off the list, you might see a more enthusiastic support from me.  Until then, judge this project based on the best interest of the town itself.

With that being said, comparing the above with the other proposal, guess what?  I say if you are determined to pick one, pick the housing.

First, if traffic was the big problem the last time around, how anyone anticipates the "community center" concept will generate less traffic than the newest housing proposal in beyond me.  Ever drop off or pick up your kids from day care, school, youth programs/activities.  Ever see an adult program end with 30 or 40 participants.

Secondly, other than the community based concept, there is no firm proposal as to "what".  Build it and they will come may be fine for a filed of dreams, but I think people have a right to base a decision on what it is they will be coming to.

If the parking is an issue for housing, what will it be like for a multi-use facility with multiple uses occurring at the same time?

Vague concepts about youth and adult core educational programs, training, educational and recreational services, human services through local non-profits are sales pitches, not a proposal.  I know, being a big meanie picking on charities.

Perhaps if vagueness was replaced with specifics, one might have more of an inclination to be more charitable.  Perhaps specifics will be forth coming, and perhaps the same vagueness concerns about past bids should be applied to this bid.

So if you have to pick one, based on the two, the one you pick is the one that is presently quantifiable.

As for the other building, well ...

I said it many years ago.  Town Hall annex.  Will that involve money.  You bet it will.

Is it worth it, well that depends on your perspective.

There is a source or two which could be leveraged to offset the restoration of the old building. that would of course require a commitment to do so, which would mean a severe reduction in use for other purposes. Might not be able to pay exorbitant prices for some land deals which we get involved in more as an equity source in some other entity's bigger picture. Might mean that pet projects have to wait.  Might simply mean the town is forced to determine what its real priorities are.

Or, just simply give it away and hope for the best in the long term.

Rather ironic in a way that all focus was shifted toward the center of the storm in the beginning, but the problem on the northern edge is likely to be resolved first.

Anyway ...

Until next time.