The Public Opinion Soapbox

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

Recently, I read several PO articles where contractors, municipal folks and the like were whining about DEP's decision to halt new sewer connections because of problems with Chambersburg's sewer system. They were discussing the need to correct the problems immediately so they can get back to building as soon as possible.

I, for one, thank God that - no matter what the reason - something occurred to put a halt to the rampant development Franklin County has been experienceing for the last several years. Oh yes, it may be hurting the income of developers and contractors (yeah, like they really need more money at this point) and cutting down on construction jobs. But we have plenty of jobs in the area and those construction folks can find work elsewhere.

Instead of putting a Band-Aid on the problem and getting right back to work, why isn't anyone thinking about the coming shortage of water? Why isn't anyone worried about the increasing tax burden being placed on all the citizens of this county because of the need to expand schools, roads, treatment plants, etc., thanks to all of this development?

In short, when are we going to learn that you can't just keep building and building, bringing more people in, bringing more commercial enterprises, warehouses and stores in? Look what's happening to one of our most precious commodities - the fertile farmland. Do we Americans really want to depend on the Chinas of the world for our food supply? We depend on foreign nations for our oil supply, and look what's happening there!

Why do we only ever see development as "growth," so it must be a good thing? When will anyone say enough already? We citizens see how we're losing a way of life and losing the quality of life that we grew up with. Why aren't any of our politicians listening? Is all that new tax money so enticing that you don't care that your native citizens can't afford to live here anymore? You should be ashamed.

Irish1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Montgomery Township

Just wait until the truth comes out about this one, the state has had there eye on this situation for a while and the issue is not going away for some time.

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

Well Irish, I wish that were true. But what do I read today? The ban has been lifted, thanks to Tom Finucane and Bryan Salzmann. Oh, great. Sad

LeftField · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 10

me · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 119

AMEN Left,

The costs of vital services in and around C-burg WILL NEVER DECREASE and the way we'll see taxes stabililze is an increased tax base.

Growth, expansion, development, sprawl or whatever you want to call it is coming, so we need to make the best of it!!!!

This is not C-burg of the 70's and some of the dino's need to realize that !!!!

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

New tax revenues will go to pay for new road work, traffic control, larger schools, more policement, a larger jail, larger sewer system, new water sources & pipes, & more government which means increased graft. Think taxes are going down? No way.

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

Which nazi lawmakers voted for something that would require people with existing homes to pay thousands to tap into unwanted sewer & water lines?

Why do water & sewer rates go up to run new lines, put in bigger pipes, and expand systems because of new construction? Why should existing customers pay so someone else can tap on?

We need some serious review of laws concerning water & sewage systems. We need someone who will stand up for us existing residents against those who are profiting by this expansion.

me · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 119

never said they'd go down Dave !!!!

You honestly think we can survive if we restrict or ban development?

The tax base MUST increase or we'll be in the same boat as areas like Prince Georges County MD. No increase in tax base means an drastic increase in our tax and a drastic increase in vital services !!!!

Unbelievable · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: New Franklin

Did you read to the end of the article?

"...but the consent order contains a clause that would reinstate the ban if there were future overflows that were not connected with a wet weather disaster emergency, such as the flood of June 28, 2006, in which the governor proclaimed a disaster emergency."

Do you honestly think the people in charge will get their act together enough to fix the issue rather than patching it enough to satisfy DEP? As soon as this happens again DEP will shut down the 'growth' until a new plant is built. How many YEARS will that take?

Sorry, I don't think this lifting of the ban will last. I don't think anyone in a position of power takes it seriously enough to effect permanent change.

Consistent, responsible progress is what is required. Not last minute jumping to patch a wound until the crisis passes and then forget about it. And not unrestricted growth and progress without reasonable limits.
_________________
It's not what you do once in a while, its what you do day in and day out that makes a difference!

Irish1 · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Montgomery Township

Bobo,
The problem still exsist! They are now under a consent order and will be fined for each new overflow, and the moritorium could be reinstated, unless the rains were of a state of emergency magnitude. What the boro did was some smoke testing and paid the solicitors a pile of cash just to make it go away temporarily. They have only spent some monies on some motor fuses that were under sized, they have not fixed any of the I&I problems yet. In a few years as chamersburg grows you will be building a very expensive and large sewer plant to continue to keep up with the demand.

LeftField · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 10

Dave wrote:
New tax revenues will go to pay for
new road work - which is needed, whether we have increased development or not
traffic control - which is needed, whether we have increased development or not,
larger schools - which is needed, whether we have increased development or not,
more policement - which is needed, whether we have increased development or not
a larger jail - which is needed, whether we have increased development or not,
larger sewer system - which is needed, whether we have increased development or not,
new water sources & pipes - which is needed, whether we have increased development or not, &
more government - granted, we never need more govt
which means increased graft. Think taxes are going down? No way.

My original point was that all of these needs exist and have existed for quite some time but have been ignored. Increased development will make it impossible to continue ignoring them and can also help pay for them.

The real question is whether the additional tax revenue from the new development will offset the costs of needing to build these things bigger because of the new development.

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

I think someone needs to come in from left field.

You are telling me that these new traffic lights, new exits, enlarging intersections have nothing to do with increased traffic? Do these new home buyers have cars?

How many new homes in an area does it take to push classroom size in an elementary school from 25 to 30 to 35?

Lets ask the water authorities how much of the pipeline construction has been maintenance & how much enlarging the system.

So which aspect of development do you work?

If we don't control growth, we need impact fees to cover the costs of these added services.

LeftField · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 10

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

Leftfield, there have been some very credible studies done that show that the "benefits" of development in terms of new taxes, etc., do not outweigh the costs. In other words, when you factor in everything - the effect on roads, schools, other infrastructure, taxes, etc. - development ends up costing municipalities more than it brings in.

Let's talk in practical terms. Because the county has been forced to build a bigger prison, spend more for growing nursing home needs, etc., my county real estate tax bill has gone up by more than 50% in the past six years! My sewer bill is about to go up from $66 to $90+ a quarter. Housing values have increased (thanks to outsiders pushing the real estate market ever higher) to the point where I couldn't afford to buy my crummy little house if I had waited a few more years. My poor mother - a lifelong Waynesboro resident - can barely afford the increases in water, sewer and trash fees, not to mention property taxes.

You can say what you want, but you'll never convince me that the huge influx of people and certain types of businesses into this area is a good thing. Forget taxes and just look at quality of life. How many more accidents do we have today than we had 10 or 15 years ago because of all the additional cars on the road? How much more will we all suffer from water shortages that will only get worse due largely to all the new people here today?

We need to slow things down, think about where we allow development - and how much we allow - and say no to more builders and corporations.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg